Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 23-250 near Danville, VA — 2016-03-27

Final reportERA16LA142
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Date
2016-03-27
Location
Danville, VA, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA 23-250
Registration
N22AM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

The instrument-rated private pilot departed in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) with the intention of flying visual flight rules (VFR) to his destination. About 90 minutes into the flight, the pilot advised air traffic control (ATC) that he was having problems with the right engine. The pilot switched fuel tanks, turned on the fuel pumps, and restored power to the right engine. A few minutes later, the pilot stated that he was in IMC and requested assistance. While diverting to another airport, the pilot reported to ATC that he had lost power in both engines. The pilot performed a forced landing on a highway, during which the airplane impacted a tree and came to rest inverted next to the road. No fuel was observed in any of the airplane's fuel tanks during the on-scene examination, nor did the accident site display any signs of fuel spillage or blight. Other that the absence of fuel, no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies were noted with the engines that would have precluded normal operation, and it is likely that the loss of power to both engines was the result of fuel exhaustion.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have diverted earlier when experiencing engine issues and IMC.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ATC audio
  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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