# NTSB BFO92LA024: Piper PA-34-200T, N8434H, Columbus, OH, January 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 23, 1992, 04:35 local (09:35 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, OH
- Coordinates: 40.010494, -82.920364 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0105&lon=-82.9204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11760
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11760/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA024

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION IN BOTH ENGINES, DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE ENGINE OR FUEL CONTROLS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - light condition - dark night
  - wheels up landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TAKING OFF AT NIGHT, HE RAISED THE LANDING GEAR, STARTED A TURN TO THE OUTBOUND HEADING AND ADJUSTED BOTH PROPELLER CONTROLS.  HE THEN TURNED ON THE OVERHEAD LIGHT, ADJUSTED THE HEAT BY MOVING BOTH SELECTOR LEVERS TO THE CENTER POSITION, CONTINUED CLIMBING AND HAD STARTED TO ADJUST THE MIXTURE CONTROLS, WHEN ATC GAVE HIM A FREQUENCY CHANGE.  AT THAT TIME, BOTH ENGINES LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING.  HE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINES, BUT WAS UNABLE. HE SAID HE THEN 'CUT' THE MIXTURE CONTROLS AND MADE AN EMERGENCY WHEELS UP LANDING IN A FIELD.  THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.  AN INVESTIGATION SHOWED THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FUEL WITH NO CONTAMINATES.  FUEL FLOW WAS ESTABLISHED FROM THE FUEL TANK(S) TO THE FUEL CONTROL UNIT(S) BY USING THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP.  THE LEFT ENGINE WAS STARTED AND TEST RUN WITH NO ANOMALIES NOTED.  THE RIGHT ENGINE COULD NOT BE RUN DUE TO ITS UNSAFE CONDITION, BUT AN EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO ANOMALIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8434H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8434H-2009-12-31), registration cancelled 2009-12-31, S/N 34-8133219, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-220T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-220t) (registry code 7103420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-8133219
- Airframe hours: 2757
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-KB3 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Central Skyport
- Registered owner: Tech-Air, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 16, 1992, 2 hours before
- Destination: MNN, MARION, OH
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 899 total, 38 in this make and model, 586 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 37 °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 19920123000919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920123000919A), Jan 23, 1992: Piper PA34200T, Columbus, OH, Substantial damage. Both engines quit on climbout. Landed gear up in hayfield. No engine defects found. Fuel on board.

## Other investigations on N8434H (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC91IA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91IA053), Dec 28, 1990: Piper PA-34-200T (N8434H), Elbridge, NY, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO CONDUCT A PROPER PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE FUEL TANKS, AND A MISREADING FUEL GAUGE WHICH RESULTED IN A DOUBLE POWER LOSS.

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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