# NTSB ATL87LA049: Piper PA-34-200T, N3577U, Mobile, AL, December 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 24, 1986, 15:43 local (21:43 UTC)
- Place: Mobile, AL
- Location: 30.5049° N, 88.1509° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from MOBILE RGNL (MOB), within about 4 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5049&lon=-88.1509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7362
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7362/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA049

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD SUSPECTED A HYDRAULIC PROBLEM PRIOR TO DEPARTURE WHEN HYDRAULIC FLUID WAS FOUND ON THE HANGAR FLOOR. THE ACFT WAS FLOWN TO A NEARBY ARPT FOR REPAIRS. THE ACFT THEN DEPARTED AND APRX 1 HR INTO THE FLT A HEATER PROBLEM WAS EXPERIENCED. THE PLT CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM AND THE FLT CONTINUED AT 11,000 FT. THE PLT REQUESTED A LOWER ALT UPON NEARING MOBILE AND ATC APPROVAL WAS RECEIVED TO DESCEND IN STAGES. AT 2,000 FT, THE PLT REPORTED A FAILURE OF BOTH ENGINES. REMEDIAL ACTION WAS ATTEMPTED, HOWEVER, PWR WAS NOT RESTORED. THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE GEAR UP FORCED LANDING WHICH FOLLOWED. DURING WRECKAGE RECOVERY, 49 GALLONS OF FUEL WERE DRAINED FROM THE RIGHT FUEL TANK AND THE LEFT TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY. A TEST PROP WAS INSTALLED, FUEL WAS ADDED AND BOTH ENGINES WERE STARTED. THE ENGINES PERFORMED WITHOUT INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3577U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3577U), registered now, S/N 34-8070100 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 348070100
- Airframe hours: 1673
- Engines: CONTINENTAL L/TS10360EB1 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Executive Air Charter
- Registered owner: Seneca Leasing, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CLL, COLLEGE STATION, TX
- Destination: MOD, MOBILE, AL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MOB, Bates Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,828 total, 36 in this make and model, 3,828 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOB, 12 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 19861224072339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861224072339A), Dec 24, 1986: Piper PA34200T, Mobile, AL, Substantial damage. Both engines failed on approach. A safe forced landing was made. Suspect a pilot problem with crossfed system.

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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