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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

April 12, 2017 · Piper PA 34 200T · N461RL

Llano, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 12, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Llano, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA 34 200T (1980)
Tail Number
N461RL
Operator
Claiborne Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA17CA233

The pilot in the multiengine, retractable-gear-equipped airplane reported that he was flying in instrument meteorological conditions and leveled off at 8,000 ft mean sea level. He began to configure the airplane for cruise flight, and he realized that the right engine cross-feed fuel selector was positioned for the left tank. The left tank fuel indicator displayed empty, and the right fuel indicator displayed 45 gallons remaining. He believed that the fuel indicators had malfunctioned, and he established an approach to a nearby highway intersection. The pilot landed with the landing gear stowed on the asphalt highway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage longerons. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that he became complacent during the flight and vowed to use a checklist in the future. The pilot has coordinated with his local Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team to help prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s complacency during the en route phase of flight, which resulted in fuel mismanagement and a subsequent gear-up landing.

Full Narrative

The pilot in the multi-engine, retractable gear-equipped airplane reported that he was flying in instrument meteorological conditions and leveled off at 8,000 ft. mean sea level. He began to configure the airplane for cruise flight and he realized that the right engine cross-feed fuel selector was positioned for the left tank. The left tank fuel indicator displayed empty and the right fuel indicator displayed 45 gallons remained. He believed that the fuel indicators had malfunctioned and he established an approach to a nearby highway intersection. The pilot landed with the landing gear stowed on the asphalt highway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage longerons. Per the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that he became complacent during the flight and vowed to use a checklist in the future. At the recommendation of the NTSB Investigator-in-charge, the pilot has coordinated with his local Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team to help prevent accidents in kind from occurring in the future. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:52 CDT
Nearest AirportLlano Muni (0nm NE)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 34 200T
Tail NumberN461RL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorClaiborne Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTeledyne Continental · TSIO360EB1 · Reciprocating · 220 | Teledyne Continental · LTSIO360EB1 · Reciprocating · 220
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightNight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Observation Time02:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data