# NTSB BFO92LA019: Piper PA-46-350P, N9161K, Bowling Green, KY, January 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1992, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Bowling Green, KY
- Coordinates: 37.060756, -86.460121 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0608&lon=-86.4601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11757
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11757/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA019

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S PREMATURE FLARE, STALLING THE AIRPLANE WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DUAL FUEL FLOW GAUGE FAILURES AND DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine instruments,fuel flow gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - flare - premature, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB OUT FROM THE WARREN COUNTY AIRPORT ON AN IFR CLEARANCE, THE AIRPLANE HAD A DUEL FUEL FLOW GAUGE FAILURE. THE PILOT ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT AND MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. THE PILOT STATED HE RECEIVED A SPECIAL VOR CLEARANCE DIRECT TO THE VOR, RUNWAY 030, AND PROCEEDED TO THE AIRPORT. HE STATED THAT HE PREMATURELY FLARED THE AIRPLANE AND IT STALLED, FALLING 30 FEET TO THE RUNWAY. THE DUAL FUEL FLOW FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED DURING THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9161K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9161K), registered now, S/N 4622022, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46-350P
- Registry model: [Piper PA 46-350P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-350p) (registry code 7104620) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4622022
- Airframe hours: 628
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-AE2A 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Jurgen Arnemann
- Registered owner: Jurgen Arnemann
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 8, 1991, 66 hours before
- Departed: BWG
- Destination: LEX, LEXINGTON, KY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BWG, Warren County Regional, runway 3, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,611 total, 617 in this make and model, 3,516 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 45 °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 19920113000519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920113000519A), Jan 13, 1992: Piper PA46350P, Bowling Green, KY, Substantial damage. Returned due to reported fuel gauges reading zero. Levelled off too high on landing. Dropped to runway. No defects.

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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