# NTSB BFO92LA129: Piper PA-30K, N400RD, Schaghticoke, NY, September 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1992, 16:32 local (20:32 UTC)
- Place: Schaghticoke, NY
- Coordinates: 42.889289, -73.579254 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8893&lon=-73.5793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11843/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA129

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF TOTAL ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOSS OF TOTAL ELECTRICAL POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - electrical system,alternator - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,alternator - not switched (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,battery - output low (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency

## Analysis

ABOUT 1 HOUR AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER.  THE PILOT CONTACTED THE TOWER BY A HAND HELD RADIO AND REPORTED THE SITUATION. IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE FLIGHT WOULD CONTINUE TO ALBANY, NEW YORK, WHERE VMC EXISTED.  ON APPROACH INTO ALBANY, ABOUT 2 HOURS AFTER TAKEOFF, BOTH ENGINES LOST TOTAL POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.  THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING.  DURING THE IMPACT SEQUENCE, THE MAIN AND AUXILIARY FUEL TANKS WERE BREACHED.  A FUEL QUANTITY COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.  THREE QUARTERS OF A GALLON OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN BOTH THE TIP TANKS.  EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE SHOWED THAT ALL SWITCHES WERE IN THE OFF POSITION EXCEPT FOR THE FUEL PUMPS AND MAGNETOS SWITCHES. FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT ALTERNATOR REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 2 FIELD WIRE TO THE TERMINAL WAS BROKEN PRIOR TO IMPACT.  THE RIGHT ALTERNATOR WAS FUNCTIONAL.  THE BATTERY WAS FOUND DISCHARGED.  FOR THIS AIRPLANE, ONE ALTERNATOR PROVIDES SUFFICIENT VOLTAGE BUT MUST BE SELECTED IN ORDER TO OPERATE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N400RD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N400RD-2003-05-29), registration cancelled 2003-05-29, S/N 30-1769, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30K
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-1769
- Airframe hours: 3830
- Engines: LYCOMING IO 320-C1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Marjo Flyers Incorporated
- Registered owner: Marjo Flyers Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 23, 1991, 113 hours before
- Departed: RKD, ROCKLAND, ME
- Destination: HPN, WHITE PLAINS, NY
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 746 total, 143 in this make and model, 587 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALB, 1 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 19920907035439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920907035439A), Sep 7, 1992: Piper PA30, Albany, NY, Substantial damage. Lost electris and engines quit. Alternator out. Failed ulse aux alternator. Fuel solenoid failed. Failed switch tanks

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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