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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

December 11, 2024 · Piper PA-31-350 · N818BR

Victoria, TX

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 11, 2024
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 4 unknown outcomes
Location
Victoria, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-350 (1981)
Tail Number
N818BR
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN25LA060

The pilot reported that before the flight the airplane was fueled with 142.4 gallons of 100 low-lead fuel and that the fuel tanks contained 236 total gallons of fuel before takeoff. The local aerial survey flight was flown at 16,500 ft mean sea level (msl) and lasted about 5 hours. At the end of the survey mission and about 10 miles from the destination airport, the pilot noticed low fuel indications, then both engines experienced a total loss of power. The pilot made a right 90° turn away from the airport and selected a service road for a forced landing. During the landing roll the airplane collided with three vehicles on the road. The airplane also collided with a metal traffic light pole, which resulted in a separation of the right wing and aft fuselage. After the accident the pilot stated that the loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion. During the airplane wreckage recovery, about 3 gallons of fuel were drained from the left wing tanks and the right wing tanks were empty. The pilot also stated that he did not complete a detailed fuel burn calculation or a weight and balance calculation for the flight. It is likely that the airplane did not contain 236 gallons of fuel before takeoff, and the pilot was unaware of the actual fuel onboard due to inadequate preflight planning and preflight inspection.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that before the flight the airplane was fueled with 142.4 gallons of 100 low-lead fuel and that the fuel tanks contained 236 total gallons of fuel before takeoff. The local aerial survey flight was flown at 16,500 ft mean sea level (msl) and lasted about 5 hours. At the end of the survey mission and about 10 miles from the destination airport, the pilot noticed low fuel indications, then both engines experienced a total loss of power. The pilot made a right 90° turn away from the airport and selected a service road for a forced landing. During the landing roll the airplane collided with three vehicles on the road. The airplane also collided with a metal traffic light pole, which resulted in a separation of the right wing and aft fuselage. After the accident the pilot stated that the loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion. During the airplane wreckage recovery, about 3 gallons of fuel were drained from the left wing tanks and the right wing tanks were empty. The pilot also stated that he did not complete a detailed fuel burn calculation or a weight and balance calculation for the flight. It is likely that the airplane did not contain 236 gallons of fuel before takeoff, and the pilot was unaware of the actual fuel onboard due to inadequate preflight planning and preflight inspection.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CST
Nearest AirportVictoria Rgnl (2.7nm W)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-31-350
Tail NumberN818BR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-J2B · Reciprocating · 350 | Lycoming · LTIO-540-J2B · Reciprocating · 350
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 4 unknown outcomes
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 71 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 6 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 19 F
Altimeter30.39 inHg
Observation Time14:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data