Pilot Debrief

Piper PA 30 near Billings, MT — 2020-09-12

Final reportWPR20LA308
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Date
2020-09-12
Location
Billings, MT, USA
Airport
KBIL
Aircraft
Piper PA 30
Registration
N7602Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

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

NTSB narrative

According to the FAA, the pilot contacted the air traffic control tower at the destination airport and requested clearance to land on runway 28. The pilot mentioned that the airplane had one engine “out” but did not share details, nor did he declare an emergency. As the airplane was on short final, the pilot made another radio call to the tower indicating that he lost the second engine. The airplane landed short of the runway against a cliffside. On scene law enforcement reported that they did not smell fuel at the accident site, nor was fuel present in the unbreeched fuel tanks. Postaccident examination of the airframe and both engines did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. The pilot does not recall the accident; however, he recalls that he had an issue with the right engine and had to shut it down. Estimated fuel calculations were completed assuming the fuel tanks were full and 75% power was used. The airplane would have consumed 77.4 gallons of the 84 usable gallons during the 4.5 hr accident flight. The calculations did not account for variables such as engine leaning, wind, climb, or descent. Taking those variables into account, it is likely that the airplane did not have enough fuel to complete the flight.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have declared an emergency after losing the first engine.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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