# NTSB BFO85LA015: Piper PA-31-350, N3528U, Lynchburg, VA, February 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1985, 13:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Lynchburg, VA
- Location: 37.4138° N, 79.1422° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lynchburg, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4138&lon=-79.1422&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11158
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11158/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA015

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - improper (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - improper, fbo personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - engine assembly - disabled (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AS THE GEAR WAS RETRACTING AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE PLT COULD DETECT NO YAW TO EITHER SIDE. WHEN THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 50 FEET OFF THE GROUND, THE TWR INFORMED THE PLT THAT VAPOR OR SMOKE WAS TRAILING FROM THE LEFT ENG. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE HAD A PROBLEM. THE PLT THEN PLANNED AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING INTO TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 21 AT LYNCHBURG MUNICIPAL AIRPORT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE BY AN FAA REPRESENTATIVE REVEALED LARGE QUANITIES OF JET FUEL THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM OF THE ACFT. REFUELING OF THE ACFT IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY AN EXPERIENCED LINEMAN WHO HAD COMPLETED THE GENERAL AVIATION MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION'S LINEMAN TRAINING VIDEO TAPE PROGRAM. THE ACFT AND FUEL TRUCKS WERE MARKED IN STANDARD FASHION WITH APPROPRIATE PLACARDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3528U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7952147
- Airframe hours: 2835
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Virginia
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, February 5, 1985, 0 hours before
- Departed: LYH
- Destination: CHO, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LYH, Lunchburg Municipal, runway 21, 5,799 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,900 total, 845 in this make and model, 2,750 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LYH

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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