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NTSB Report
February 27, 1984 · Piper PA-23-160 · N3253P
Deming, NM
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 27, 1984
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Location
Deming, NM
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-160
Tail Number
N3253P
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN84LA103
THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH FULL FUEL TANKS & USED FUEL FROM THE MAIN TANKS UNTIL THEY WERE APRX 1/2 FULL. HE THEN SWITCHED TO THE TIP TANKS & USED FUEL FROM THEM UNTIL THEY EMPTIED. JUDGING FROM A PREVIOUS FLT, HE KNEW THE L TIP TANK WOULD EMPTY APRX 8 MIN BEFORE THE R TIP. THE ACFT WAS AT APRX 5000FT AGL WHEN THE L TIP EMPTIED. AT THAT TIME, THE L ENG LOST FUEL PRESSURE & POWER. THE PLT SWITCHED THE L SELECTOR BACK TO THE L MAIN TANK, BUT POWER WAS NOT RESTORED. WHILE TRYING TO RESTART THE L ENG, THE ACFT EMTERED A STRONG DOWNDRAFT & RAPIDLY LOST ALT. THE L PROP CONTINUED WINDMILLING & THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND ON A ROAD. THE PLT STATED HE KNEW THE R TIP WAS DUE TO RUN DRY & HE SWITCHED THE R SELECTOR TO THE R MAIN, BUT THE R ENG QUIT AT 100 TO 150 FT AGL. A PAX STATED THE R ENG STOPPED, 5 TO 10 MIN AFTER THE L ENG. THE PLT THEN TRIED TO LAND IN A FIELD, BUT THE ACFT HIT POWER LINES & CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FOUND. REPORTEDLY, CONSIDERABLY MORE TIME IS REQUIRED TO START AN ENG, IF IT STOPS FROM FUEL STARVATION.
Full Narrative
THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH FULL FUEL TANKS & USED FUEL FROM THE MAIN TANKS UNTIL THEY WERE APRX 1/2 FULL. HE THEN SWITCHED TO THE TIP TANKS & USED FUEL FROM THEM UNTIL THEY EMPTIED. JUDGING FROM A PREVIOUS FLT, HE KNEW THE L TIP TANK WOULD EMPTY APRX 8 MIN BEFORE THE R TIP. THE ACFT WAS AT APRX 5000FT AGL WHEN THE L TIP EMPTIED. AT THAT TIME, THE L ENG LOST FUEL PRESSURE & POWER. THE PLT SWITCHED THE L SELECTOR BACK TO THE L MAIN TANK, BUT POWER WAS NOT RESTORED. WHILE TRYING TO RESTART THE L ENG, THE ACFT EMTERED A STRONG DOWNDRAFT & RAPIDLY LOST ALT. THE L PROP CONTINUED WINDMILLING & THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND ON A ROAD. THE PLT STATED HE KNEW THE R TIP WAS DUE TO RUN DRY & HE SWITCHED THE R SELECTOR TO THE R MAIN, BUT THE R ENG QUIT AT 100 TO 150 FT AGL. A PAX STATED THE R ENG STOPPED, 5 TO 10 MIN AFTER THE L ENG. THE PLT THEN TRIED TO LAND IN A FIELD, BUT THE ACFT HIT POWER LINES & CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FOUND. REPORTEDLY, CONSIDERABLY MORE TIME IS REQUIRED TO START AN ENG, IF IT STOPS FROM FUEL STARVATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-23-160
Tail NumberN3253P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · LA-350-CIA · Reciprocating · 220
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point23 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO