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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 2, 1997 · Piper PA-23 · N1044P

Washington, DC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 2, 1997
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Washington, DC
Aircraft
Piper PA-23
Tail Number
N1044P
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD97LA071

The pilot stated that while en route, the right engine lost power. The pilot alerted air traffic control and he was vectored to Dulles International Airport . The pilot stated that he had the airport in sight when the left engine lost power. The pilot notified air traffic control that he was not going to make the runway, and the airplane impacted trees about 1000 feet short of runway 1. The pilot reported that in the course of his flight planning he misread the fuel quantity for the airplane as 108 gallons, which is the quantity for the auxiliary tank configuration. The pilot stated that he failed to catch his mistake until after the accident had occurred.

NTSB Probable Cause

total loss of power on both engines due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's improper fuel consumption calculations.

Full Narrative

On May 2, 1997, at about 0125 eastern daylight time, N1044P, a Piper PA-23, operated by the commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage after impacting trees about 1000 feet short of runway 010 while executing an emergency landing/approach to Washington Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC. The pilot stated that both engines failed. The pilot and one passenger his wife, sustained minor injuries. Visual Meteorological conditions existed and an Instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from the Lake in the Hills Airport, Lake in the Hills, Illinois, at about 2030 EDT on May 1, 1997. The pilot stated that while enroute to Washington's National Airport, the right engine quite. He contacted Air Traffic and they vectored him to Dulles International Airport. The pilot stated that he had Dulles insight when the left engine quit. The pilot notified Air Traffic that they were not going to make the runway and crashed into the tops of trees and came to rest nose down in the trees. The pilot stated the in the course of his flight planning he mistakenly read the fuel quantity for the aircraft as 108 gallons, which is the quantity for the auxiliary tank configuration. The pilot stated that he failed to catch his mistake until after the accident had occurred.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:25 EDT
Nearest AirportDulles International (1nm N)
Runway1
Runway Length11500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-23
Tail NumberN1044P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A3B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 33 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind320° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 34 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time05:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data