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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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March 10, 1983 · Piper PA-20 · N4944M

Martinsville, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 10, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Martinsville, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-20
Tail Number
N4944M
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW83LA146

REPORTEDLY, THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH 36 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD, OF WHICH, 10 GALS WAS AUTOMOBILE LOW LEAD FUEL. THE AUTOMOBILE FUEL HAD BEEN PURCHASED FROM AN OFF AIRPORT GASOLINE STATION, WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE ACFT IN 5 GAL CANS, THEN ADDED TO THE FUEL TANKS WITH A FILTERED SPOUT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE BURNED FUEL FROM THE RIGHT TANK UNTIL THE ENGINE QUIT WHILE THE RIGHT GAGE INDICATED APRX 1/4 FULL. HE RESTARTED THE ENGINE & CONTINUED, USING THE LEFT TANK. THE ENGINE LOST POWER AGAIN WHEN THE LEFT FUEL GAGE INDICATE APRX 1/2 FULL. THE ACFT WAS OVER A HILLY & WOODED AREA AT 4500 FT MSL. THE PLT FOUND A SUITABLE AREA FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING, BUT THE RIGHT WING OF THE ACFT HIT A TREE SHORT OF THE AREA. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE GASCOLATOR WAS CLOGGED WITH UNIDENTIFIED CONTAMINANTS. THE GASCOLATOR WAS DRAINED & CHECKED DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION, 13 FLT HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. BEFORE THE ANNUAL INSPECTION, THE ACFT HAD BEEN IN STORAGE FOR 10 YRS.

Full Narrative

REPORTEDLY, THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH 36 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD, OF WHICH, 10 GALS WAS AUTOMOBILE LOW LEAD FUEL. THE AUTOMOBILE FUEL HAD BEEN PURCHASED FROM AN OFF AIRPORT GASOLINE STATION, WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE ACFT IN 5 GAL CANS, THEN ADDED TO THE FUEL TANKS WITH A FILTERED SPOUT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE BURNED FUEL FROM THE RIGHT TANK UNTIL THE ENGINE QUIT WHILE THE RIGHT GAGE INDICATED APRX 1/4 FULL. HE RESTARTED THE ENGINE & CONTINUED, USING THE LEFT TANK. THE ENGINE LOST POWER AGAIN WHEN THE LEFT FUEL GAGE INDICATE APRX 1/2 FULL. THE ACFT WAS OVER A HILLY & WOODED AREA AT 4500 FT MSL. THE PLT FOUND A SUITABLE AREA FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING, BUT THE RIGHT WING OF THE ACFT HIT A TREE SHORT OF THE AREA. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE GASCOLATOR WAS CLOGGED WITH UNIDENTIFIED CONTAMINANTS. THE GASCOLATOR WAS DRAINED & CHECKED DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION, 13 FLT HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. BEFORE THE ANNUAL INSPECTION, THE ACFT HAD BEEN IN STORAGE FOR 10 YRS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-20
Tail NumberN4944M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data