# NTSB FTW82FA137: Piper PA-31-350, N3580D, San Antonio, TX, April 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1982, 20:17 local (Apr 19, 1982, 02:17 UTC)
- Place: San Antonio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.540472, -98.490791 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5405&lon=-98.4908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72475
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72475/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FA137

## 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 - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, fbo personnel (cause)
  - inadequate training, company/operator management (cause)
  - annunciator panel light(s) - improper (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS TRYING TO LAND AFTER BOTH ENGINES FAILED DURING TAKEOFF AFTER THE AIRCRAFT WAS REFUELED WITH JET FUEL INSTEAD OF GASOLINE. THE WEATHER WAS IFR WITH FOG, LOW CEILING AND RAIN. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING A FORCED LANDING AND WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE AFTER IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3580D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3580D-1984-07-03), registration cancelled 1984-07-03, S/N 31-8052084 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-8052084
- Airframe hours: 650
- Engines: LYCOMING TSIO-540J 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: San Jet Inc.
- Registered owner: Triangle "T" Leasing
- Departed: SAT, SAN ANTONIO, TX
- Destination: C, MIDLAND, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SAT, San Antonio International, runway 12, 8,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 151 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT

## 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 19820418009679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820418009679A), Apr 18, 1982: Piper PA31350, San Antonio, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost both engines on an IFR climbout. Crashed into trees and burned trying to return. Was 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.

---
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.