# NTSB ATL92LA140: Piper PA-30, N160MJ, Shallotte, NC, July 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1992, 11:32 local (15:32 UTC)
- Place: Shallotte, NC
- Location: 33.9737° N, 78.3802° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Shallotte, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9737&lon=-78.3802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8630
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8630/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA140

## Probable cause

THE DETERIORATION OF THE LEFT MAIN FUEL BLADDER WHICH RESULTED IN THE PREMATURE EXHAUSTION OF THE FUEL SUPPLY AND THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. A FACTOR WAS SOFT TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,tank - leak (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - deteriorated (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - 2 engines
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS REFUELED THE DAY BEFORE THE FLIGHT AND THE FUEL TANKS WERE CHECKED AGAIN DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION. THE FLIGHT DEPARTED SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY, WITH 90 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD.  THE PILOT COMPUTED  16 GALLONS OF FUEL USAGE PER HOUR AND ABOUT 5 HOURS OF FUEL ENDURANCE. ABOUT 2+45 HOURS INTO THE FLIGHT THE PILOT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS AND IMMEDIATELY HE NOTICED A FASTER THAN NORMAL DROP ON THE FUEL QUANTITY GAUGE. THE PILOT INFORMED ATC AT MYRTLE BEACH OF HIS FUEL STATUS, AND ELECTED TO LAND AT  MYRTLE BEACH FOR FUEL. BOTH ENGINES QUIT AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD ABOUT 3 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. THERE WAS NO FUEL FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS EXAMINED AT THE ACCIDENT SITE AND THERE WERE NO OBVIOUS SIGNS OF FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE FUEL TANKS AT THE ACCIDENT SITE OR FUEL STAINS ON THE AIRPLANE. HOWEVER, WHILE CONDUCTING AIRFRAME REPAIRS, THE REPAIR FACILITY DISCOVERED A SUBSTANTIAL FUEL LEAK FROM THE LEFT MAIN FUEL CELL. CRACKS, TYPICAL OF AGING, WERE DISCOVERED IN THE INBOARD CORNERS OF THE FUEL BLADDER WHEN IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE BLADDER WAS MANUFACTURED BY PIPER IN 1980.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N160MJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N160MJ), registered now, S/N 30-1410 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-1410
- Airframe hours: 4025
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mcviegh, Stana J.
- Registered owner: Mcviegh, Stana J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 6, 1991, 34 hours before
- Departed: N52, SOMERVILLE, NJ
- Destination: 49J, HILTON HEAD ISL, SC
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,938 total, 205 in this make and model, 1,938 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRE, 23 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 19920717025939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920717025939A), Jul 17, 1992: Piper PA30, Shallotte, NC, Substantial damage. Lost power both engines IFR en route. Landed gear up in field. Fuel leak found in left bladder cell due aging crack

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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