# NTSB BFO92LA033: Piper PA-31-350, N27613, Qioquinton, VA, March 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1992, 07:57 local (12:57 UTC)
- Place: Qioquinton, VA
- Coordinates: 37.530109, -77.109214 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5301&lon=-77.1092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11766
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11766/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA033

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION BECAUSE OF AN OPEN CROSSFEED FUEL LINE DRAIN VALVE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - 2 engines
  - fuel system,drain - open (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear not extended, landing
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT WAS DIVERTING TO HIS NEW DESTINATION WHEN BOTH ENGINES LOST POWER. A GEAR UP LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD 3 MILES NE OF THE AIRPORT. WHILE EN ROUTE THE PILOT OBSERVED THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION FROM THE LEFT TANK, SO HE RECALCULATED THE FUEL HE HAD REMAINING ON BOARD WHICH HE DETERMINED TO BE TWO HOURS. HE PROCEEDED TO HIS DESTINATION AS IT WAS ONLY 50 MINUTES AWAY FROM HIS PRESENT POSITION. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE FUEL SYSTEM BY THE FAA REVEALED THE CROSSFEED FUEL LINE DRAIN VALVE WAS OPEN. THERE WERE NO OTHER ABNORMALITIES FOUND IN THE SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27613](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27613-1995-09-20), registration cancelled 1995-09-20, S/N 317852088 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7852088
- Airframe hours: 5500
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Eagle Aero Inc
- Registered owner: Eagle Aero Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: TTN, TRENTON, NJ
- Destination: RIC, RICHMOND, VA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: W96, New Kent Co.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,004 total, 600 in this make and model, 2,895 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIC, 10 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 19920307040629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920307040629A), Mar 7, 1992: Piper PA31350, Quinton, VA, Substantial damage. Diverting new destination lost both engines. Landed field gear up. Excessive fuel use left tank. Drain valve open.

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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