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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 28, 1999 · Piper PA-30B · N7991Y

Mcalester, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 28, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Mcalester, OK
Aircraft
Piper PA-30B
Tail Number
N7991Y
Operator
Freddie W Chambers
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW99LA154

Shortly after takeoff, the airplane's left engine experienced a loss of power followed soon thereafter by a partial loss of power of the right engine. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and made a forced landing in a field. The pilot added that he 'had to climb over power lines [and] stalled [the] aircraft.' The pilot stated that he had refueled the airplane with 90 gallons of fuel prior to his departure. He added that he had visually checked the fuel level prior to the departure; however, he did not sump the fuel tanks. Fuel samples that were taken from the airplane's left and right main fuel tanks contained a fluid on the bottom of each sample, which resembled water. A fuel sample taken from the refueling truck revealed no evidence of water contamination.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot inadvertently stalling the airplane while attempting to avoid power lines. Factors were the loss of power on both the left and right engines as a result of water contamination in the fuel system, the pilot's inadequate preflight procedures, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On May 28, 1999, at 1630 central daylight time, a Piper PA-30B twin-engine airplane, N7991Y, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff from the McAlester Regional Airport near McAlester, Oklahoma. The instrument rated private pilot and his pilot rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight destined for Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident. During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that shortly after takeoff, while climbing through 300 feet agl, the left engine "quit." The pilot added that after attempting to restart the engine, he elected to feather the propeller. Shortly after feathering the left propeller, the right engine started to "sputter." The pilot stated that the right engine never completely failed; however, he was unable to maintain altitude with the sputtering right engine and elected to land the airplane, with the landing gear retracted, in a field approximately 2 miles south of the McAlester Airport. In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that he "had to climb over power lines [and] stalled [the] aircraft." The pilot reported that the left wing spar, outboard of the engine, was broken. The right wing spar, outboard of the engine, was bent aft, and the empennage was separated except for a section of sheet metal attaching it to the airplane. The pilot reported that he had refueled the airplane with 90 gallons of fuel prior to his departure. The pilot stated that he had visually checked the fuel level prior to the departure; however, he did not sump the fuel tanks. He added that the flight to McAlester earlier that day had been uneventful and that there were no problems with either engine. During the recovery process, fuel samples were taken from the airplane's left and right main fuel tanks. A half-gallon of fuel was drained from each tank into two separate 1-gallon containers. The bottom half of the sample taken from the left main fuel tank appeared clear in color and resembled water. The bottom 1/8th of the half-gallon fuel sample taken from the right main fuel tank appeared clear in color and also resembled water. The remaining fluid in both samples was blue in color and resembled 100LL aviation fuel. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, stated that he examined fuel samples taken from the fixed base operator's fueling truck, from which the accident airplane was refueled, and found no evidence of water contamination.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 CDT
Nearest AirportMcalester Regional (2nm S)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-30B
Tail NumberN7991Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFreddie W Chambers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320-B1A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data