# NTSB CHI91DCQ02: Piper PA-23-250, Brownell, KS, December 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: December 14, 1990, 12:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Brownell, KS
- Coordinates: 38.639007, -99.739433 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6390&lon=-99.7394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14809
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DCQ02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14809/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DCQ02

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ENSURE THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN REFUELED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - all engines
  - refueling - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE STATED THAT HE INSTRUCTED THE FIXED BASE OPERATOR AT HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT TO 'TOP OFF' HIS AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL LEVEL PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. AFTER TWO HOURS AND FIFTEEN MINUTES BOTH ENGINES FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT PERFORMED AN OFF AIRPORT FORCED LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGDLC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-7954003
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter Michael Ober
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Destination: DPA, CHICAGO, IL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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