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NTSB Report
September 3, 1983 · Piper PA-31-350 · N3594G
Fort Smith, AR
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 3, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Fort Smith, AR
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-350
Tail Number
N3594G
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW83LA413
THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED LAREDO, TX, ON A FLT TO FT SMITH, AR, WITH AN INTERMEDIATE STOP AT BRINKLEY, AR. THE FUEL TANKS WERE 'TOPPED' AT LAREDO, BUT NO FUEL WAS ADDED AT BRINKLEY. DURING ARRIVAL AT FT SMITH, THE PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY FOR 'EXTREMELY LOW FUEL.' HE WAS CLEARED FOR A STRAIGHT-IN APCH. VERY SHORTLY AFTER THAT, BOTH ENGS BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH WITH BOTH FUEL BOOST PUMP LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE PLT INFORMED THE TOWER THAT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REACH THE ARPT. HE SELECTED A DARK UNPOPULATED AREA TO LAND & EXTENDED THE GEAR. WHEN HE TURNED ON THE LANDING LIGHTS, HE REALIZE HE HAD SELECTED A WOODED AREA. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED AFTER IMPACTING TREES. THE PLT HAD BEGUN THE 1ST OF 6 FLT AT 0608 CDT & HAD GOTTEN VERY LITTLE SLEEP THE PRECEEDING NIGHT.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED LAREDO, TX, ON A FLT TO FT SMITH, AR, WITH AN INTERMEDIATE STOP AT BRINKLEY, AR. THE FUEL TANKS WERE 'TOPPED' AT LAREDO, BUT NO FUEL WAS ADDED AT BRINKLEY. DURING ARRIVAL AT FT SMITH, THE PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY FOR 'EXTREMELY LOW FUEL.' HE WAS CLEARED FOR A STRAIGHT-IN APCH. VERY SHORTLY AFTER THAT, BOTH ENGS BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH WITH BOTH FUEL BOOST PUMP LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE PLT INFORMED THE TOWER THAT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REACH THE ARPT. HE SELECTED A DARK UNPOPULATED AREA TO LAND & EXTENDED THE GEAR. WHEN HE TURNED ON THE LANDING LIGHTS, HE REALIZE HE HAD SELECTED A WOODED AREA. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED AFTER IMPACTING TREES. THE PLT HAD BEGUN THE 1ST OF 6 FLT AT 0608 CDT & HAD GOTTEN VERY LITTLE SLEEP THE PRECEEDING NIGHT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:01 CDT
Nearest AirportFort Smith Muni. (1nm ENE)
Runway25
Runway Length8000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-31-350
Tail NumberN3594G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-J2BD · Reciprocating · 350
Seats10
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind110° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO