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NTSB Report
April 4, 1986 · Piper PA-31-350 · N55WE
Homestead, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 4, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Homestead, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-350
Tail Number
N55WE
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA86FA112
THE FLT WAS NEARING COMPLETION OF A 4.2 HR X-COUNTRY FLT & WAS APRX 7 MILES FROM THE DEST WHEN BOTH ENGS QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. A FORCED LDG WAS PERFORMED. THE PLT STATED THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED WITH A FULL FUEL LOAD OF 182 GALS. THE ACFT OWNER STATED THAT FUEL CONSUMPTION AVERAGED ABOUT 44 GALS PER HR. AT THAT RATE, THE ACFT WOULD HAVE CONSUMED APPROX 185 GALS. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT STATED THAT A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT MAY HAVE BEEN THAT HE HAD BEEN RECENTLY FLYING ANOTHER PA-31 WHICH HAD A GREATER FUEL CAPACITY DUE TO THE INSTALLATION OF AUX FUEL TANKS & HE MAY HAVE SUBCONSCIOUSLY THOUGHT THAT HE HAD MORE FUEL THAN HE ACTUALLY HAD.
Full Narrative
THE FLT WAS NEARING COMPLETION OF A 4.2 HR X-COUNTRY FLT & WAS APRX 7 MILES FROM THE DEST WHEN BOTH ENGS QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. A FORCED LDG WAS PERFORMED. THE PLT STATED THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED WITH A FULL FUEL LOAD OF 182 GALS. THE ACFT OWNER STATED THAT FUEL CONSUMPTION AVERAGED ABOUT 44 GALS PER HR. AT THAT RATE, THE ACFT WOULD HAVE CONSUMED APPROX 185 GALS. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT STATED THAT A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT MAY HAVE BEEN THAT HE HAD BEEN RECENTLY FLYING ANOTHER PA-31 WHICH HAD A GREATER FUEL CAPACITY DUE TO THE INSTALLATION OF AUX FUEL TANKS & HE MAY HAVE SUBCONSCIOUSLY THOUGHT THAT HE HAD MORE FUEL THAN HE ACTUALLY HAD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:35 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-31-350
Tail NumberN55WE
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-J2BD · Reciprocating · 350
Seats8
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind80° @ 8 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:46
Weather SourceWFAC