# NTSB DCA83AA019: Piper PA-31-350-T1020, N120AE, Fort Belvoir, VA, March 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1983, 02:58 local (07:58 UTC)
- Place: Fort Belvoir, VA
- Location: 38.7131° N, 77.1444° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Belvoir, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7131&lon=-77.1444&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15779
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA83AA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15779/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA83AA019

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - lack of (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON A FLT FROM NEWARK, NJ TO RICHMOND, VA, THE DEPARTURE TIME WAS DELAYED, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT DID NOT ARRIVE AT RICHMOND UNTIL AFTER THE REFUELING FACILITIES WERE CLOSED. THE PLT DECIDED THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FUEL ABOARD TO COMPLETE THE NEXT FLT TO THE WASHINGTON NATIONAL ARPT, SO HE DEPARTED ON THAT FLT. HOWEVER, ABOUT 21 MI FROM HIS DESTINATION, HE DECLARED A LOW-FUEL STATE & REQUESTED VECTORS TO THE NEAREST ARPT. VECTORS WERE PROVIDED TOWARD DAVIDSON ARMY AIRFIELD. HOWEVER, BOTH ENGS SUBSEQUENTLY LOST POWER FROM LACK OF FUEL & THE ACFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA APRX 500 YDS SHORT OF RWY 32.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N120AE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N120AE-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 31-8253006, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350-T1020 (PA-31-350-)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (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: 31-8253006
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Asrec Air East,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RIC, RICHMOND, VA
- Destination: DCA, WASHINGTON, DC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Davidson Army Airfield, runway 32

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,675 total, 120 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: DCA, 8 nm away

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.