# NTSB DEN91FA126: Piper PA-30, N7730Y, Ft. Carson, CO, September 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1991, 07:28 local (13:28 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Carson, CO
- Coordinates: 38.689769, -104.750312 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6898&lon=-104.7503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18033
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91FA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18033/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA126

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF POWER TO BOTH ENGINES DUE FIRST TO FUEL STARVATION FOLLOWED BY FUEL EXHAUSTION, THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL, AND THE INADVERTENT STALL. A FACTOR WAS:  THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF POWERPLANT CONTROLS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - 1 engine
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING HIS FIRST SOLO PRACTICE FLIGHT THREE DAYS AFTER RECEIVING HIS MULTIENGINE RATING.  HE HAD 18 HOURS MULTIENGINE TIME. WHILE BEING VECTORED FOR A PRACTICE APPROACH, THE RIGHT ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. THE AIRCRAFT COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE DUE TO SINGLE ENGINE PERFORMANCE LIMITS.  THE TURBOCHARGERS WERE NOT ENGAGED. APPROACH CONTROL VECTORED THE AIRCRAFT TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT.  THE PILOT HAD DIFFICULTY IN SPOTTING THE AIRPORT AND THE SECOND ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION DURING THE APPROACH.  THE PILOT THEN INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRCRAFT WHICH ROLLED OVER AND DOVE INTO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7730Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7730Y-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 30-819, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-819
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-CIA 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rick L. Ownes
- Registered owner: Rick L. Ownes
- Departed: COS, COLORADO SPRING, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,220 total, 18 in this make and model, 1,075 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910911039379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910911039379A), Sep 11, 1991: Piper PA30, Ft Carson, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Unable hold altitude vectored Butts,stalled,rolled short airport. Right prop feathered. No fuel. Selector in error.

## Other investigations on N7730Y (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA67F0193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67F0193), Nov 12, 1966: Piper PA-30 (N7730Y), Billings, MT, substantial damage

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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