# NTSB CHI91LA273: Piper PA-31-350, N5SL, Columbus, NE, September 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1991, 07:50 local (12:50 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, NE
- Coordinates: 41.430709, -97.349548 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4307&lon=-97.3495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15167
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA273
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15167/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA273

## Probable cause

IMPROPER REFUELING BY GROUND PERSONNEL AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel grade - incorrect
  - refueling - improper, ground personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - 2 engines - inoperative
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE TWIN ENGINE (PISTON) AIRPLANE LOST ALL POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A CULTIVATED FIELD.  THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN FUELED THE PREVIOUS NIGHT BY A REFUELER WHO THOUGHT THE AIRPLANE WAS TURBINE POWERED AND SUBSEQUENTLY PUT JET FUEL IN THE TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5SL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7752182
- Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-J2B 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kbs, Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Destination: BFF, SCOTTSBLUFF, NE
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: OLU, Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,470 total, 715 in this make and model, 6,380 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 15 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OLU, 2 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 19910924045499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910924045499A), Sep 24, 1991: Piper PA31350, Columbus, NE, Substantial damage. Both engines quit on climbout. Force landed in tall cornfield. Aircraft had been serviced with jet fuel.

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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