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NTSB Report
January 28, 1987 · Piper PA-31 · N76ND
Medford, OK
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 28, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Medford, OK
Aircraft
Piper PA-31
Tail Number
N76ND
Operator
Univ of North Dakota
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW87LA049
THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A DOUBLE ENG FAILURE AS A RESULT OF FUEL EXHAUSTION DURING DESCENT TO THE DESTINATION APRT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO DIVERT TO A NEARBY ARPT DURING THE DESCENT, BUT BOTH ENGS QUIT BEFORE HE HAD THE RWY ASSURED. THE SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN THE LEFT ENG RESTARTED DURING THE FLARE AND SPUN THE ACFT AROUND TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT WING TIP STRUCK THE GROUND, YAWING THE ACFT ON TOUCHDOWN. ALL 3 LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AS A RESULT OF SIDE LOADS. THE PLT STATED THAT ADVERSE WINDS ALOFT EXTENDED THE FLT AND PREVENTED HIM FROM ARRIVING AT THE DESTINATION ARPT AND THAT WHEN HE BECAME AWARE OF THE CRITICAL FUEL STATE, IT WAS TOO LATE.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A DOUBLE ENG FAILURE AS A RESULT OF FUEL EXHAUSTION DURING DESCENT TO THE DESTINATION APRT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO DIVERT TO A NEARBY ARPT DURING THE DESCENT, BUT BOTH ENGS QUIT BEFORE HE HAD THE RWY ASSURED. THE SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN THE LEFT ENG RESTARTED DURING THE FLARE AND SPUN THE ACFT AROUND TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT WING TIP STRUCK THE GROUND, YAWING THE ACFT ON TOUCHDOWN. ALL 3 LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AS A RESULT OF SIDE LOADS. THE PLT STATED THAT ADVERSE WINDS ALOFT EXTENDED THE FLT AND PREVENTED HIM FROM ARRIVING AT THE DESTINATION ARPT AND THAT WHEN HE BECAME AWARE OF THE CRITICAL FUEL STATE, IT WAS TOO LATE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 CST
Nearest AirportMedford Municipal (1nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-31
Tail NumberN76ND
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorUniv of North Dakota
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-A2C · Reciprocating · 270
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 14 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:55
Weather SourceWFAC