Piper PA-31 N9034Y
3 January 1989 · Springfield, Ohio, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 3 January 1989 at about 13:12 local time, a Piper PA-31 registered N9034Y was involved in an accident near Springfield, Ohio, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 13:12
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Springfield, Ohio, United States
- Nearest airport
- Beckley Mun. (SGH)
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-31
- Registration
- N9034Y
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Other Work Use
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Indianapolis → Columbus
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- IMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ATL89FA066
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
FUEL EXHAUSTION PRECIPATATED BY THE INADEQUATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS PERFORMED BY THE PILOT, PRESSURE FROM THE COMPANY PRESIDENT TO NOT CARRY EXCESS FUEL AND IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISIONS BY THE PILOT BY NOT REFUELING ENROUTE BEFORE FUEL WAS EXHAUSTED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE SURVEILLANCE AND CERTIFICATION OF THE OPERATOR BY THE FAA.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PLT WAS MAKING A CONTRACT CARGO FLT UNDER FAR 91 RULES AND HAD EXPERIENCED ICG ENROUTE. WHEN JUST PAST DAYTON, HE INDICATED THAT HE 'HAD A LITTLE FUEL PROBLEM' AND NEEDED TO GET INTO OSU WITHOUT DELAYS. A SHORT TIME LATER HE INDICATED THAT HE NEEDED TO GO TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT. HE WAS VECTORED TOWARD SGH FOR LDG. HE THEN INDICATED THAT HE HAD LOST AN ENGINE AND A SHORT TIME LATER INDICATED THAT HE HAD LOST THE OTHER ENGINE. THE ACFT CRASHED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THERE WAS NO FIRE AND ONLY RESIDUAL FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE AIRPLANE. THE COMPANY PRESIDENT INDICATED THAT HE DID NOT ENCOURAGE HIS PILOTS TO CARRY 'EXCESS FUEL'. IT WAS REPORTED THAT THIS PILOT, ALONG WITH OTHERS, HAD BEEN 'CHEWED OUT' FOR CARRYING 'EXCESS FUEL'. THE OPERATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED UNDER FAR 135 RULES SINCE THE COMPANY HAD RETAINED OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF THE OPERATION.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-31 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Sep 1989 | Piper PA-31-350 | Ontario, California, United States | Ameriflight | Fatal | 1 |
| 20 May 1989 | Piper PA-31 | Tok Junction, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 Aug 1989 | Piper PA-31-350 | Lynchburg, Virginia, United States | - | Fatal | 5 |
| 1 Feb 1989 | Piper PA-31 | Sparks, Nevada, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 15 Dec 1989 | Piper PA-31-350 | Cairo Township, New York, United States | Aero-Venture Inc. | Fatal | 6 |
| 14 Feb 1989 | Piper PA-31-350 | Pacific Ocean | Southern Cross Aviation | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Apr 1989 | Cessna 170 | Orwell, Ohio, United States | Paul Hatala | No injuries | - |
| 4 May 1989 | Cessna 152 | Ravenna, Ohio, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 18 May 1989 | Cessna 152 | Hinckley, Ohio, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 23 May 1989 | Rockwell 114 | Dayton, Ohio, United States | National Choice Acft Maint, Inc | No injuries | - |
| 30 May 1989 | Piper PA-22-135 | Medina, Ohio, United States | David L. Hartley | Serious injuries | - |
| 12 Jul 1989 | Piper PA-32RT-300T | Columbus, Ohio, United States | Ferguson LEE, Inc. | No injuries | - |