# NTSB FTW82DA158: Piper PA-31-350, N70TT, Midland, TX, May 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1982, 11:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Midland, TX
- Location: 31.9973° N, 102.0779° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Midland, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9973&lon=-102.0779&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71695
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71695/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA158

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, fbo personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A BUSINESS FLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINES QUIT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A GEAR-UP EMERGENCY LANDING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED ONE PICKUP AND TWO CARS DURING THE LANDING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN MISTAKENLY FUELED WITH JET "A" FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N70TT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-8152149
- Airframe hours: 175
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Milton Tankersley Jr. Inc.
- Registered owner: Milton Tankersley Jr. Inc.
- Departed: MDD, MIDLAND, TX
- Destination: FT. WORTH, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MDD, Midland Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,592 total, 120 in this make and model, 6,460 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAF

## 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 19820502018759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820502018759A), May 2, 1982: Piper PA31350, Midland, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff climb. Landed on nearby street, striking several vehicles. Had been fueled with jet a 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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