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March 12, 1982 · Piper PA-32 · N260BB

Syracuse, NY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 12, 1982
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (5 minor injuries)
Location
Syracuse, NY
Aircraft
Piper PA-32
Tail Number
N260BB
Operator
Professional Pilots
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC82FFJ12

The pilot took off on a VFR flight plan with a litter patient and 3 other passengers onboard. The right main fuel tank was used for about the first 30 minutes of flight, then the pilot switched to the left main tank. While en route, an IFR flight plan was obtained when the destination weather did not improve to VFR conditions as forecast. The pilot reported that before descending into the clouds for an ILS approach, he performed a before landing check and switched back to the right main fuel tank. The engine lost power abruptly while on the approach. The pilot believed that he switched to the right tip tank, and then later, back to the right main tank, while attempting to start the engine. As the aircraft broke out of the clouds, the pilot attempted to maneuver to a clearing, but the plane struck trees and crashed. The fuel selector was found positioned to the left tank which had about 3 pints of fuel remaining.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON A VFR FLIGHT PLAN WITH A LITTER PATIENT AND 3 OTHER PASSENGERS ONBOARD. THE RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK WAS USED FOR ABOUT THE FIRST 30 MINUTES OF FLIGHT, THEN THE PILOT SWITCHED TO THE LEFT MAIN TANK. WHILE EN ROUTE, AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN WAS OBTAINED WHEN THE DESTINATION WEATHER DID NOT IMPROVE TO VFR CONDITIONS AS FORECAST. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT BEFORE DESCENDING INTO THE CLOUDS FOR AN ILS APPROACH, HE PERFORMED A BEFORE LANDING CHECK AND SWITCHED BACK TO THE RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK.THE ENGINE LOST POWER ABRUPTLY WHILE ON THE APPROACH. THE PILOT BELIEVED THAT HE SWITCHED TO THE RIGHT TIP TANK, AND THEN LATER, BACK TO THE RIGHT MAIN TANK, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE. AS THE AIRCRAFT BROKE OUT OF THE CLOUDS, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER TO A CLEARING, BUT THE PLANE STRUCK TREES AND CRASHED. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TANK WHICH HAD ABOUT 3 PINTS OF FUEL REMAINING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 EST
Nearest AirportSYRACUSE (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32
Tail NumberN260BB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorProfessional Pilots
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-E435 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary5 injuries (5 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor5
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 8 kt
CeilingOvercast 100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg

Appendix: Source Data