Disoriented PA-28 pilot lands off airport at KSDF

[KyAv8or]

It's still a developing story... but I think the pilot's obvious disorientation tells much... followed by the unfortunate sound of an ELT...

Accident aircraft is Cherokee N4247T

[Local News Story]  http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=12267033

[toeknee25]

Here ya go, I edited it and cut out most of the empty time in the transmission.

[KyAv8or]

Thanks!  I'm a "long time listener, but first time poster".  I need to figure out a good solution for preparing the audio in the future.

[toeknee25]

Sure, no problem. I just trimmed it without listening to it. Sounded like MOST of the action happened within the first 2-3 min of that clip. I'm on a Mac and I went ahead and downloaded Audacity. I'm pretty sure it works for Windows as well. Here's the forum link to all the info.

http://www.liveatc.net/forums/atcaviation-audio-clips/audio-editing-tools-help-with-adding-your-own-audio-clips/

Also when you export the new clip make sure to drop the bit rate to 16kbps or so just to make the file smaller.

Your post was actually the 2nd time i've uploaded a clip so no worries

[Windtee]

Wonder if it was "fuel-starvation" or "fuel-exhaustion". Glad to know pilot is still alive with non-life-threatening injuries.

[KyAv8or]

The pilot confirmed today that it was fuel exhaustion.

http://tinyurl.com/yan7nwn

[KyAv8or]

Here's an excellent follow up report by the local FOX affiliate, including surveillance camera footage of the final descent:  http://bit.ly/ai2DMv

[Marty Becker]

If he had chosen to go into Bowman Field (KLOU), I'm sure the outcome would have been different.  Very few emergency landing options going into KLOU, other than Seneca and Big Spring golf courses by KLOU.  Since he was coming from the north, and I'm sure he knew he was low on fuel, a better option was to divert to Clark County Airport (KJVY), just north of Louisville, in Jeffersonville, IN.

[KyAv8or]

Yep, he likely flew right over JVY during his approach to 17L at SDF.  Just glad he made it out alive and without hurting anyone else in the process.