# NTSB ATL83FA293: Piper PA-31-350, N63737, Richmond, VA, July 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1983, 23:29 local (Jul 27, 1983, 03:29 UTC)
- Place: Richmond, VA
- Coordinates: 37.439796, -77.3199 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4398&lon=-77.3199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5939
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA293
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5939/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA293

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS ON AN APPROACH TO RICHMOND, VIRGINIA. THE FLT HAD BEEN OPERATING 4 HOURS, INCLUDING 7 TAKEOFFS, SINCE REFUELING. AFTER THE ACCIDENT BOTH PROPELLERS WERE FOUND IN THE FEATHERED POSITION. THE RIGHT WING FUEL SYSTEM REMAINED INTACT. ABOUT ONE PINT OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THIS SYSTEM. THE LEFT WING FUEL SYSTEM RECEIVED DAMAGED WHICH PRECLUDED A DETERMINATION OF ITS FUEL QUANTITY. A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE QUICK DRAIN FILTERS, AND THE FUEL LINE TO THE RIGHT ENGINE. THE LEFT FUEL LINE FROM THE PUMP TO THE ENGINE WAS BROKEN. THERE WAS NO ODOR OF FUEL, FUEL STAINS OR DISCOLORATION OF FOLIAGE AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63737](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63737-1984-02-03), registration cancelled 1984-02-03, S/N 31-7752059 (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: 31-7742059
- Airframe hours: 3899
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Silver Kris Services Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1983, 34 hours before
- Departed: ORF, NORFOLK, VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RIC, Byrd International, runway 33, 8,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,875 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 8,800 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 220° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIC, 1 nm away

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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