# NTSB DEN84LA103: Piper PA-23-160, N3253P, Deming, NM, February 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 27, 1984, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Deming, NM
- Location: 32.2631° N, 107.7525° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Deming, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2631&lon=-107.7525&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16346
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16346/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA103

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - attempted, pilot in command
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative
- Forced landing, approach
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH FULL FUEL TANKS & USED FUEL FROM THE MAIN TANKS UNTIL THEY WERE APRX 1/2 FULL. HE THEN SWITCHED TO THE TIP TANKS & USED FUEL FROM THEM UNTIL THEY EMPTIED. JUDGING FROM A PREVIOUS FLT, HE KNEW THE L TIP TANK WOULD EMPTY APRX 8 MIN BEFORE THE R TIP. THE ACFT WAS AT APRX 5000FT AGL WHEN THE L TIP EMPTIED. AT THAT TIME, THE L ENG LOST FUEL PRESSURE & POWER. THE PLT SWITCHED THE L SELECTOR BACK TO THE L MAIN TANK, BUT POWER WAS NOT RESTORED. WHILE TRYING TO RESTART THE L ENG, THE ACFT EMTERED A STRONG DOWNDRAFT & RAPIDLY LOST ALT. THE L PROP CONTINUED WINDMILLING & THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND ON A ROAD. THE PLT STATED HE KNEW THE R TIP WAS DUE TO RUN DRY & HE SWITCHED THE R SELECTOR TO THE R MAIN, BUT THE R ENG QUIT AT 100 TO 150 FT AGL. A PAX STATED THE R ENG STOPPED, 5 TO 10 MIN AFTER THE L ENG. THE PLT THEN TRIED TO LAND IN A FIELD, BUT THE ACFT HIT POWER LINES & CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FOUND. REPORTEDLY, CONSIDERABLY MORE TIME IS REQUIRED TO START AN ENG, IF IT STOPS FROM FUEL STARVATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3253P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-160
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-1198
- Airframe hours: 4200
- Engines: FRANKLIN LA-350-CIA 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Fitzgibbon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 23, 1983
- Departed: LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: PEQ, PECOS, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 25,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 23 °F

## 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 19840227005439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840227005439A), Feb 27, 1984: Piper STCPA23, Deming, NM, Substantial damage. Ran left auxiliary tank dry, engine quit, could not restart. On approach to road ran right auxiliary dry,no restart

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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