# NTSB CHI05CA181: Piper PA-31-310, N601RE, Lake Huron, MI, June 26, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 26, 2005, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Lake Huron, MI - Coordinates: 42.911109, -82.528892 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9111&lon=-82.5289&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 62077 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05CA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62077/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA181 ## Probable cause The fuel exhaustion during cruise flight, the inadequate in-flight planning/decision by the pilot, and the unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot during the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Ditching, emergency descent/landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane, operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by a commercial operator, impacted a lake following a total loss of engine power on both engines. The pilot reported that the left wing fuel tank was empty and the right wing fuel tank indicated a 1/4 full. Inspection of the airplane revealed the left fuel tank was empty, about one gallon of fuel was drained from the right wing outboard fuel drain and about one gallon of fuel was drained from the right wing inboard fuel drain. The fuel selectors were in their respective inboard fuel tank positions and the crossfeed selector was in the off position. ## Factual narrative On June 26, 2005, at 1330 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-31-310, N601RE, operated by Evans Air Corporation, impacted water during a forced landing on Lake Huron, near Port Huron, Michigan. The airplane experienced a loss of engine power during visual approach to St. Clair County International Airport (PHN), Port Huron, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The commercial pilot received minor injuries and the five passengers reported no injuries. The personal flight originated from Killarnery Municipal Airport (CPT2), Ontario, Canada, en route to PHN. The pilot's last check ride was conducted under 14 CFR 135 on January 25, 2005 in using the accident airplane. He reported a total flight time of 6,900 hours of which 3,000 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. The pilot stated about 1:10 hours after departure from CPT2, the left wing appeared to be out of fuel and the right main was just under a half tank. He turned on the fuel crossfeed and right boost bump. About 4 minutes later he shut down and feathered the left engine. The right tank was indicating 1/4 full. About 3 minutes later, the right engine fuel pressure dropped. The pilot stated that he then switched tanks and the right engine fuel pressure increased twice. He then landed the airplane following a loss of engine power on both engines on Lake Huron about 100 feet from shore and 14 miles from PHN. Inspection of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed the left fuel tank was empty, about one gallon of fuel was drained from the right wing outboard fuel drain and about one gallon of fuel was drained from the right wing inboard fuel drain. The fuel selectors were in their respective inboard fuel tank positions and the crossfeed selector was in the off position. Both auxiliary engine fuel pump switches were in the on position, both engine magnetos for both engine were in the on position, and the master switch was in the on position. The mixture controls were the full forward position, the propeller controls were in the feather position, and the throttles were in the full forward position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N601RE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N601RE-2013-03-13), registration cancelled 2013-03-13, S/N 31-811, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-31-310 - Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (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: 31-811 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Evans Air Copr - Registered owner: Evans Air Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CPT2, Ontario - Destination: PHN, Port Huron, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 6,900 total, 3,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20050626034129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050626034129A), Jun 26, 2005: Piper PA31310, Port Huron, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft fuel supply depleted prior to reaching intended destination forcing pilot to conduct emergency water ditching. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.