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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

January 6, 1993 · Piper PA-23 · N1439P

Tampa, FL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 6, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Tampa, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-23
Tail Number
N1439P
Operator
Coulson Jeffrey A
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA93LA048

THE PVT-RATED STUDENT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING BEFORE THE FLT & WAS ADVISED THAT FOG WAS FORECAST TO EXIST AT THE DESTINATION AT THE ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL. THE ESTIMATED TIME EN ROUTE WAS 3 HRS WITH 4 HRS OF FUEL ON BOARD. THE FLT DEPARTED AT 2027. THE FLT WAS CLEARED FOR AN ILS APPROACH & THE CFI LET THE STUDENT FLY PART OF THE APPROACH BUT TOOK CONTROL & PERFORMED A MISSED APPROACH AT MINIMUMS. THE FLIGHT WAS CLEARED FOR ANOTHER ILS APCH WHICH TERMINATED WITH A MISSED APCH. THE FLT THEN REQUESTED CLEARANCE TO A NEARBY ARPT. THE FLT WAS CLEARED FOR AN ILS APCH, & WHEN IT WAS INBOUND ON THE FINAL APPROACH, THE TOWER CONTROLLER WAS ADVISED THAT AN ENGINE QUIT AND THEY WERE 'OUTTA FUEL.' THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN DITCHED NEAR A BRIDGE & ALL OCCUPANTS EXITED THE AIRPLANE BEFORE IT SANK. THE AIRPLANE WAS RECOVERED 5 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT & THE FUEL TANKS WERE DRAINED WHICH REVEALED THE LT TANK DID NOT CONTAIN ANY FUEL. THE RT FUEL TANK CONTAINED ABOUT 8 OUNCES OF FUEL. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT 0012, APPROXIMATELY 3 HRS 45 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF.

NTSB Probable Cause

POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE CFI RESULTING IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FROM BOTH ENGINES DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

Full Narrative

THE PVT-RATED STUDENT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING BEFORE THE FLT & WAS ADVISED THAT FOG WAS FORECAST TO EXIST AT THE DESTINATION AT THE ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL. THE ESTIMATED TIME EN ROUTE WAS 3 HRS WITH 4 HRS OF FUEL ON BOARD. THE FLT DEPARTED AT 2027. THE FLT WAS CLEARED FOR AN ILS APPROACH & THE CFI LET THE STUDENT FLY PART OF THE APPROACH BUT TOOK CONTROL & PERFORMED A MISSED APPROACH AT MINIMUMS. THE FLIGHT WAS CLEARED FOR ANOTHER ILS APCH WHICH TERMINATED WITH A MISSED APCH. THE FLT THEN REQUESTED CLEARANCE TO A NEARBY ARPT. THE FLT WAS CLEARED FOR AN ILS APCH, & WHEN IT WAS INBOUND ON THE FINAL APPROACH, THE TOWER CONTROLLER WAS ADVISED THAT AN ENGINE QUIT AND THEY WERE 'OUTTA FUEL.' THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN DITCHED NEAR A BRIDGE & ALL OCCUPANTS EXITED THE AIRPLANE BEFORE IT SANK. THE AIRPLANE WAS RECOVERED 5 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT & THE FUEL TANKS WERE DRAINED WHICH REVEALED THE LT TANK DID NOT CONTAIN ANY FUEL. THE RT FUEL TANK CONTAINED ABOUT 8 OUNCES OF FUEL. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT 0012, APPROXIMATELY 3 HRS 45 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:12 EST
Nearest AirportTampa International (4nm WSW)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-23
Tail NumberN1439P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCoulson Jeffrey A
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 26 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind20° @ 4 kt
CeilingOvercast 100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time04:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data