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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 6, 1985 · Piper PA-31-350 · N3528U

Lynchburg, VA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 6, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Lynchburg, VA
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-350
Tail Number
N3528U
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO85LA015

AS THE GEAR WAS RETRACTING AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE PLT COULD DETECT NO YAW TO EITHER SIDE. WHEN THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 50 FEET OFF THE GROUND, THE TWR INFORMED THE PLT THAT VAPOR OR SMOKE WAS TRAILING FROM THE LEFT ENG. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE HAD A PROBLEM. THE PLT THEN PLANNED AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING INTO TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 21 AT LYNCHBURG MUNICIPAL AIRPORT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE BY AN FAA REPRESENTATIVE REVEALED LARGE QUANITIES OF JET FUEL THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM OF THE ACFT. REFUELING OF THE ACFT IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY AN EXPERIENCED LINEMAN WHO HAD COMPLETED THE GENERAL AVIATION MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION'S LINEMAN TRAINING VIDEO TAPE PROGRAM. THE ACFT AND FUEL TRUCKS WERE MARKED IN STANDARD FASHION WITH APPROPRIATE PLACARDS.

Full Narrative

AS THE GEAR WAS RETRACTING AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE PLT COULD DETECT NO YAW TO EITHER SIDE. WHEN THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 50 FEET OFF THE GROUND, THE TWR INFORMED THE PLT THAT VAPOR OR SMOKE WAS TRAILING FROM THE LEFT ENG. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE HAD A PROBLEM. THE PLT THEN PLANNED AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING INTO TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 21 AT LYNCHBURG MUNICIPAL AIRPORT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE BY AN FAA REPRESENTATIVE REVEALED LARGE QUANITIES OF JET FUEL THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM OF THE ACFT. REFUELING OF THE ACFT IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY AN EXPERIENCED LINEMAN WHO HAD COMPLETED THE GENERAL AVIATION MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION'S LINEMAN TRAINING VIDEO TAPE PROGRAM. THE ACFT AND FUEL TRUCKS WERE MARKED IN STANDARD FASHION WITH APPROPRIATE PLACARDS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:25 EST
Nearest AirportLunchburg Municipal (0nm SSW)
Runway21
Runway Length5799 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-31-350
Tail NumberN3528U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540 · Reciprocating · 350
Seats10

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 28 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 8 kt
Visibility35 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data