# NTSB ANC93LA146: Piper PA-31-350, N6SF, Nome, AK, August 14, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1993, 19:50 local (Aug 14, 1993, 03:50 UTC)
- Place: Nome, AK
- Coordinates: 64.709976, -164.620285 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7100&lon=-164.6203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2405
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2405/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA146

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT IN COMMANDS IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Ditching, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE BUSINESS FLIGHT DEPARTED LAVRENTLYA, RUSSIA WITH WHAT THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND ESTIMATED TO BE 50 GALLONS OF USABLE FUEL ON BOARD THE AIRPLANE AND LANDED IN PROVIDENIYA, RUSSIA AROUND 40 MINUTES LATER WITH ABOUT 30 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING. THE PLANE TOOK ON AN ADDITIONAL 30 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE NORMALLY DEPARTED PROVIDENIYA WITH 120 GALLONS OF FUEL BUT THAT THERE WAS NO ADDITIONAL FUEL AVAILABLE. THE FLIGHT DEPARTED PROVIDENIYA WITH WHAT THE PILOT ESTIMATED TO BE 1 HOUR AND 45 MINUTES OF FUEL ENDURANCE AND LANDED IN GAMBLE, ALASKA ON ST LAWRENCE ISLAND APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES LATER. THE PILOT DID NOT DIP STICK THE FUEL TANKS TO VERIFY THE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON BOARD. THE PILOT DID NOT CHECK ON THE AVAILABILITY OF FUEL IN GAMBLE. THE RIGHT AND LEFT ENGINES LOST POWER APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES AND 50 MINUTES, RESPECTIVELY AFTER DEPARTING GAMBLE. THE AIRPLANE DID NOT CARRY PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES FOR THE PASSENGERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6SF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6SF-1997-10-07), registration cancelled 1997-10-07, S/N 317405204 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7405204
- Airframe hours: 8083
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Marc Aviation
- Registered owner: Amundsen, John D. & Timothy E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1993, 42 hours before
- Departed: GAMBLE, AK
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 17,943 total, 317 in this make and model, 17,806 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19930813032759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930813032759A), Aug 13, 1993: Piper PA31350, Nome, AK, Destroyed. Lost both engine en route on last leg of flight. Ditched at sea. No flotaion devices. Unable purchase fuel en route

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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