# NTSB ATL05LA049: Piper PA-32-300, N364BW, Concord, NC, February 8, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 8, 2005, 18:12 local (23:12 UTC) - Place: Concord, NC - Coordinates: 35.395557, -80.705558 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3956&lon=-80.7056&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Charlotte FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60999 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05LA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60999/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05LA049 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to the failure of the fuel pump which resulted in fuel starvation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - fuel system,pump - failure (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during a cargo flight to Concord Regional Airport, North Carolina at an attitude of approximately 2000 feet, and 5 miles out from runway 20 the engine began to lose power. The pilot switched from the left main tank to the right main tank to regain engine power. Engine power was regained for a brief moment and then started to decrease again to 1000 rpm. The pilot switched from the right main tank to the auxiliary tip tanks, and noted no increase in engine power. The pilot contacted the Concord Regional Airport tower and informed them that the airplane was "going down." The airplane collided in a rock quarry approximately one mile from the approach end of runway 20. Post accident examination of the airplane revealed the engine was displaced aft. Post-accident examination of Fuel Pump model (RG17980D/M) serial # B-4766-3402 revealed that the fuel pump was repaired in the field during the life of the unit. The unit was shipped new prior to 1989. No record of overhaul or upgrade activity by the manufacturer was noted. No evidence of preventive maintenance was noted. Examination of the unit revealed severe wear to the rotor interface with the drive coupling, rubber seal material worn on rubber journal, severe wear to rotor seal. The inside diameter of the rotor seal was severely oversized, and compromised the sealing capability at the pumps drive end. This location revealed extensive leakage during testing. ## Factual narrative On February 8, 2005, at 1812 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32-300, N364BW, registered to Race City Aviation and operated by Package Express, collided into a rock quarry while maneuvering for a forced landing at Concord Regional Airport, Concord, North Carolina. The cargo flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Part 135 with a flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed Wilmington, North Carolina, on February 8, 2005 at 1700. According to the pilot, during a cargo flight to Concord Regional Airport, North Carolina at an attitude of approximately 2000 feet, and 5 miles out from runway 20 the engine began to lose power. The pilot switched from the left main fuel tank to the right main fuel tank in an effort to regain engine power. Engine power was regained for a brief moment and then started to decrease again to 1000 rpm. The pilot switched from the right main tank to the auxiliary tip tanks, and noted no increase in engine power. The pilot contacted the Concord Regional Airport tower and informed them that the airplane was "going down." The airplane came to rest in a rock quarry approximately one mile from the approach end of runway 20. Post-accident examination of Fuel Pump model (RG17980D/M) serial # B-4766-3402 revealed that the fuel pump was repaired in the field during the life of the unit. The unit was shipped new prior to 1989. No record of overhaul or upgrade activity by the manufacturer was noted. No evidence of preventive maintenance was noted. Examination of the unit revealed an unapproved valve set screw, severe wear and damage to the rotor interface with the drive coupling, rubber seal material worn on rubber journal, severe wear to rotor seal. The inside diameter of the rotor seal was severely oversized, and compromised the sealing capability at the pumps drive end. This location revealed extensive leakage during testing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N364BW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N364BW-2007-01-30), registration cancelled 2007-01-30, S/N 32-7240005, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7240006 - Airframe hours: 9061.86 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-KIA5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Race City Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 2005, 14 hours before - Departed: ILM, WILMINGTON, NC - Destination: JQF, CONCORD, NC - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 2,544 total, 315 in this make and model, 2,453 as pilot in command, 192 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: JQF, 11 nm away ## 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 20050208005129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050208005129A), Feb 8, 2005: Piper PA32300, Concord, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft lost power on final. This occurred 2 legs after the aircraft was released from maintenance for repairs to firewall and prop resulting from a… ## Other investigations on N364BW (1) 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. - [NTSB ATL05LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05LA039), Jan 6, 2005: Piper PA-32-300 (N364BW), Polkton, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to the failure of the engine-driven fuel pump, which resulted in fuel starvation. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.