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NTSB Report
February 10, 1986 · Piper PA-23-250 · N5300Y
San Francisco, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 10, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
San Francisco, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Tail Number
N5300Y
Operator
Flight Contract Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86LA110
ON FEB 9, 1986 AT 1717 PST A PIPER PA-23, N5300Y, DITCHED APPROXIMATELY 460 NM SW OF SFO, CA. THE FLT ORIGINATED FROM HNL, HI. IN FLT FUEL LEAK WAS DISCOVERED AFTER 7 HRS OF FLIGHT. FUEL VAPORS WERE SEEN CONTRAILING OFF BOTH WINGS. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO ISOLATE THE LEAK AND WAS UNABLE. THE CROSSFEED SELECTOR AND ACFT FUEL SELECTOR BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE. THE SOURCE OF THE FUEL LEAK WAS LOCATED EITHER IN THE WING OR IN THE CROSSFEED SYSTEM. THE ACFT DITCHED AFTER 9 HRS 45 MIN OF FLT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.
Full Narrative
ON FEB 9, 1986 AT 1717 PST A PIPER PA-23, N5300Y, DITCHED APPROXIMATELY 460 NM SW OF SFO, CA. THE FLT ORIGINATED FROM HNL, HI. IN FLT FUEL LEAK WAS DISCOVERED AFTER 7 HRS OF FLIGHT. FUEL VAPORS WERE SEEN CONTRAILING OFF BOTH WINGS. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO ISOLATE THE LEAK AND WAS UNABLE. THE CROSSFEED SELECTOR AND ACFT FUEL SELECTOR BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE. THE SOURCE OF THE FUEL LEAK WAS LOCATED EITHER IN THE WING OR IN THE CROSSFEED SYSTEM. THE ACFT DITCHED AFTER 9 HRS 45 MIN OF FLT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:17 PST
Nearest AirportOakland Intl (0nm SW)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-23-250
Tail NumberN5300Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFlight Contract Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind45° @ 6 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO