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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

February 16, 2003 · Piper PA-31-350 · N130CM

Taylor Mill, KY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 16, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Taylor Mill, KY
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-350
Tail Number
N130CM
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC03LA051

According to the pilot, he planned the estimated 726 statute mile flight would take approximately 3 hours and 46 minutes, with one stop to pick up cargo. The available fuel for the flight was 182 gallons, which equaled an approximate 4 hour and 55 minutes endurance, assuming a 40 gallon per hour fuel burn. The flight proceeded uneventfully to the first stop; the airplane was not fueled, and it departed. As the flight neared the destination airport, the pilot began to get nervous because the main tanks were "going fast." He switched to the auxiliary fuel tanks, to "get all of the fuel out of them," and switched back to the main tanks. While executing an approach to the airport, the pilot advised the approach controller that he had lost power to the right engine, and then shortly thereafter, reported losing power to the left engine. The pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a railroad yard. After touching down, the left wing struck a four-foot high dirt mound, and separated from the main fuselage. The airplane came to rest upright on a railroad track. The pilot additionally stated that the loss of power to both engines was due to fuel exhaustion, and poor fuel planning.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inaccurate in-flight planning and fuel consumption calculations, and his improper decision not to land and refuel.

Full Narrative

On February 16, 2003, at 1520 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-31-350, N130CM, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after a total loss of power to both engines near Taylor Mill, Kentucky. The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed the cargo flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 135. According to the pilot, the flight originated at the Manhattan Regional Airport, Manhattan, Kansas, and was destined for the Cincinnati Municipal Airport (LUK), Cincinnati, Ohio, with a stop in Concordia, Kansas. Prior to departing from Manhattan, the pilot planned the estimated the 726 statute mile flight would take approximately 3 hours and 46 minutes. The available fuel for the flight was 182 gallons, which equaled an approximate 4 hour and 55 minutes endurance, assuming a 40 gallon per hour fuel burn. The flight proceeded uneventfully to Manhattan, where the pilot picked up his cargo, and departed for Cincinnati. The airplane was not fueled during the stop at Manhattan. As the flight neared Cincinnati, the pilot began to get nervous because the main tanks were "going fast." He switched to the auxiliary fuel tanks, to "get all of the fuel out of them," and switched back to the main tanks while over Covington, Kentucky. While executing the Runway 3R Back Course Localizer approach at LUK, the pilot advised the approach controller that he had lost power to the right engine, and then shortly thereafter, reported losing power to the left engine. The pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a railroad yard. After touching down, the left wing struck a four-foot high dirt mound, and separated from the main fuselage. The airplane came to rest upright on a railroad track. The pilot additionally stated that the loss of power to both engines was due to fuel exhaustion, and poor fuel planning. The pilot reported 3,050 hours of total flight experience, with 240 hours in make and model.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:20 EST
Nearest AirportCincinnati Municipal (8nm SSW)
Runway3 R
Runway Length6101 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-31-350
Tail NumberN130CM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTextron Lycoming · TIO-540-J2BD · Reciprocating · 350 | Textron Lycoming · LTIO540J2BD · Reciprocating · 350
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 12 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingOvercast 1700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point28 C / 25 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data