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NTSB Report

May 8, 2008 · Piper PA-32R-300 · N385WR

Emporia, KS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 8, 2008
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Emporia, KS
Aircraft
Piper PA-32R-300
Tail Number
N385WR
Operator
T-N-J Trucking
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DFW08LA133

The pilot was on a 330-nautical-mile cross-country flight in a single-engine airplane. About 30 miles from his destination, and at an altitude of 3,500 feet, he turned on the fuel boost pump and switched fuel tanks. At about 10 miles from his destination airport the "plane got quiet." The pilot cycled the magnetos and fuel tank selector "once or twice." Unable to restart the engine, the pilot then conducted a forced landing in a field. An on-site inspection noted that fuel was present in the airplane's fuel tanks. A follow-on inspection of the airplane found no mechanical or electrical problem with the engine. However, the left inboard fuel tank appeared to have large sections of "sloshing" compound peeling from the tank's walls, blocking the fuel tank outlet. A review of maintenance records revealed that the left inboard fuel tank was treated with (sloshing compound) fuel tank sealer in February 1996. At the time of the application, the procedure was acceptable per the airplane's manufacturer's service manual. The review also noted that the manufacturer's service bulletin, dated May 16, 2005, no longer recognized the compound as an approved sealer, and that the sloshing procedure should be removed from all service manuals. Additionally, the service bulletin did not contain additional instructions with regards to tanks that had been previously repaired using the sealer.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of a blocked fuel outlet caused by the peeling off of a previously approved fuel tank sealer.

Full Narrative

On May 8, 2008, approximately 1530 central daylight time, a single-engine, Piper PA-32R-300 airplane, N385WR, was substantially damaged upon impact with terrain following a loss of engine power while in cruise flight near Emporia, Kansas. The private pilot, sole occupant on board, received minor injures. The airplane was registered to TNJ Trucking, Inc. of Estherville, Iowa and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. The flight departed Tradewinds airport (KTDW), Amarillo, Texas about 13:45 for the 330-nautical mile cross country flight. In a written statement, the pilot reported after he passed Cottonwood, Kansas (and less than 30 miles from Emporia) he turned on the fuel boost pump, and switched fuel tanks. About 10 miles from Emporia and at an altitude of 3,500 feet the pilot the "plane got quiet." The pilot cycled the magnetos and fuel tank selector "once or twice." Unable to restart the engine, the pilot conducted a forced landing in a field, about 10 miles west of Emporia. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the aircraft received structural damage during the forced landing. The FAA inspector also noted that fuel was present in the airplane's fuel tanks. A follow-on inspection of the airplane found no mechanical or electrical problem with the engine. However, the left inboard fuel tank appeared to have large sections of "sloshing" compound peeling from the tanks walls blocking the fuel tank outlet. A review of maintenance records revealed that the left inboard fuel tank was treated with Randolph 802 (sloshing compound) sealer in February 1996. At the time of the application, the procedure was acceptable per the Piper Service Manual. The review also noted that Piper Service Bulletin 251C, dated May 16, 2005, no longer recognizes Randolph 802 as an approved sealer, and that the sloshing procedure should be removed from all Piper Service Manuals. Additionally, the service bulletin did not contain additional instructions with regards to tanks that had been previously repaired using this procedure.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32R-300
Tail NumberN385WR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorT-N-J Trucking
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TI0-540 SER · Reciprocating · 310
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter29.69 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data