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Drunk student pilot crashes on highway when plane runs out of fuel

By NTSB · July 12, 2024 · 11 Comments

Law enforcement reported the Piper PA-28-161 overflew a tractor-trailer, landed on an interstate highway near Grain Valley, Missouri, and hit a guardrail.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, while the student pilot sustained minor injuries.

The student pilot reported to law enforcement that the airplane ran out of fuel.

The student pilot was arrested at the scene of the accident for driving while intoxicated and operating an aircraft while intoxicated.

The student pilot refused to provide a statement of the accident.

Probable Cause: The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB Identification: 105515

To download the final report. Click here. This will trigger a PDF download to your device.

This July 2022 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

About NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation, including railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. It determines the probable causes of accidents and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences.

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Comments

  1. Flying B says

    July 15, 2024 at 5:25 am

    I think it is seems a bit unusual to have a student pilot with 290 hours.

    Reply
  2. JimH in CA says

    July 12, 2024 at 2:10 pm

    This guy’s multiple problems and illegal activities finally caught up to him.
    Hopefully this guy will be walking…after a long jail sentence.?

    Reply
  3. Tom Curran says

    July 12, 2024 at 12:40 pm

    Some of these incidents just don’t warrant any additional comments ….

    Although I’m sure someone will.

    Reply
    • James Brian Potter says

      July 15, 2024 at 5:26 am

      I will. I hope this results in permanent revocation of his pilot’s license. He’s a menace to society and himself.

      Reply
      • j says

        July 15, 2024 at 6:22 am

        I am not sure that will stop someone who has no interest in obeying the rules.

        Reply
        • JimH in CA says

          July 15, 2024 at 8:49 am

          Anyone can buy an aircraft and attempt to fly it , with or without any instruction, or any pilot certificate.
          The same is true of cars. a person can own a car and drive it without any license, or insurance.
          But, since the roads are finite and patrolled, a driver is more likely to be stopped, vs operating an aircraft where there is no ‘policing’ of the air. !

          Reply
      • Phillip Mandon says

        July 15, 2024 at 8:57 am

        Yes, you’re right, he’s a public menace. The pilot is 35, immature and never will be.

        Reply
      • JimH in CA says

        July 15, 2024 at 7:07 pm

        He doesn’t have a pilot certificate, and I’ll bet that after 290 hours as a student pilot, he doesn’t have a 90 day endorsement either, and probably an expired medical, if he ever had one.
        And a night crosscountry, solo is not allowed.

        But, it looks like he owned the aircraft, so no one could stop him from flying it.

        Reply
        • Tom Curran says

          July 20, 2024 at 12:07 pm

          “And a night crosscountry, solo is not allowed.”

          Yes, they are.

          Assuming a student pilot has the appropriate training and CFI endorsements (See 14 CFR 61-87 and AC 61-65H) for solo night flight and cross country flight…

          There is no regulatory restriction that prohibits “solo night cross country”.

          Reply
          • JimH in CA says

            July 20, 2024 at 4:57 pm

            I see that. Thanks. no reg against a student,night x/c solo flight.
            I also noted in 61.93 [b] 1 and 2, the solo x/c is limited to 50 nm from the flight origin airport.
            4+ hours of flight is way more than 50nm…

            Reply
            • JimH in CA says

              July 20, 2024 at 5:06 pm

              oops, but then I noted 61.109 3[i] and 5 [ii] 100 nm and 150 nm solo x/c .
              No mention of a night limitation.

              Reply

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