# NTSB BFO92LA055: Piper PA-24-250, N7851P, Falmouth, KY, May 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1992, 20:28 local (May 8, 1992, 00:28 UTC)
- Place: Falmouth, KY
- Coordinates: 38.670154, -84.33036 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6702&lon=-84.3304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11781
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11781/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA055

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE AIRPLANE'S ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE IN REFERENCE TO THE RUNWAY.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FUEL SYSTEM LEAK.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - fuel system - leak (cause)
- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

n7851P DEPARTED WITH 90 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD. APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT NOTED THAT FUEL CONSUMPTION WAS HIGH. ALL FOUR OCCUPANTS COULD SMELL FUEL THROUGHOUT THE CABIN. APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS AFTER DEPARTURE THE ENGINE QUIT AND WAS RESTARTED. THE PILOT PROCEEDED TO LAND AT AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE FINAL APPROACH WAS HIGH AND EAST. A 20 KNOT TAILWIND EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE LANDING. THE AIRPLANE OVERSHOT THE RUNWAY, CONTACTED TREES AND CRASHED. THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE LEFT MAIN FUEL TANK, 3 GALLONS IN THE AUXILIARY FUEL TANKS, AND THE RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK CONTAINED SOME FUEL, BUT THE QUANTITY COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE RIGHT FULL TANK LINES WERE FOUND SEPARATED FROM THE FUEL TANK AND THE LEFT FUEL TANK LINES WERE INTACT. THE ENGINE-DRIVEN FUEL PUMP, QUICK DRAIN, FUEL SELECTOR VALVE, FUEL TANK CAPS AND LEFT FUEL TANK EXHIBITED NO ANOMALIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7851P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7851P-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 24-3074, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-3074
- Airframe hours: 1242
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-AID5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Douglas J. Deszell
- Registered owner: Douglas Aviation Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1991, 127 hours before
- Departed: CHA, CHATTANOOGA, TN
- Destination: TOL, TOLEDO, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: KY62, Gene Snyder, runway 21, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 352 total, 206 in this make and model, 261 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19920507014149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920507014149A), May 7, 1992: Piper PA24250, Falmouth, KY, Substantial damage. High fuel consumption. Engine quit and restarted. Overshot nearest airport downwind. Left tank fuel line came off.

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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