# NTSB BFO91LA015: Piper PA-23-250, N6996A, Milton, KY, November 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 16, 1990, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Milton, KY
- Coordinates: 38.709079, -85.369796 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7091&lon=-85.3698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11646
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11646/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA015

## Probable cause

THE IN-FLIGHT FAILURE OF BOTH ENGINES DUE TO THE PILOT'S MISMANAGEMENT OF THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - open field
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS CLIMBING TO ITS CRUISE ALTITUDE WHEN FIRST THE LEFT ENGINE SPUTTERED AND QUIT, THEN THE RIGHT ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DITCH. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE OUTBOARD FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY, WHILE THE INBOARD FUEL TANKS HELD FUEL. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE FUEL SELECTORS WERE IN THE OUTBOARD POSITION AND THAT FUEL MISMANAGMENT HAD RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6996A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6996A), registered now, S/N 27-8054012, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-8054012
- Airframe hours: 3535
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Harvey Gilman
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 28, 1990, 30 hours before
- Departed: LOU, LOUISVILLE, KY
- Destination: HAO, HAMILTON, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,630 total, 24 in this make and model, 2,437 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19901116065179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901116065179A), Nov 16, 1990: Piper PA23250, Milton, KY, Substantial damage. Left engine surged. Shut down and feathered. Right quit also. Landed in field,fuel selected empty tanks others full.

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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