# NTSB FTW83LA413: Piper PA-31-350, N3594G, Fort Smith, AR, September 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1983, 21:01 local (Sep 3, 1983, 02:01 UTC)
- Place: Fort Smith, AR
- Location: 35.3859° N, 94.3985° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Smith, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3859&lon=-94.3985&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 case key (mKey): 21041
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA413
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21041/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA413

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED LAREDO, TX, ON A FLT TO FT SMITH, AR, WITH AN INTERMEDIATE STOP AT BRINKLEY, AR. THE FUEL TANKS WERE 'TOPPED' AT LAREDO, BUT NO FUEL WAS ADDED AT BRINKLEY. DURING ARRIVAL AT FT SMITH, THE PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY FOR 'EXTREMELY LOW FUEL.' HE WAS CLEARED FOR A STRAIGHT-IN APCH. VERY SHORTLY AFTER THAT, BOTH ENGS BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH WITH BOTH FUEL BOOST PUMP LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE PLT INFORMED THE TOWER THAT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REACH THE ARPT. HE SELECTED A DARK UNPOPULATED AREA TO LAND & EXTENDED THE GEAR. WHEN HE TURNED ON THE LANDING LIGHTS, HE REALIZE HE HAD SELECTED A WOODED AREA. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED AFTER IMPACTING TREES. THE PLT HAD BEGUN THE 1ST OF 6 FLT AT 0608 CDT & HAD GOTTEN VERY LITTLE SLEEP THE PRECEEDING NIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3594G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-8052089
- Airframe hours: 1308
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Farrell Cooper Mining Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 15, 1983
- Departed: M36, BRINKLEY, AR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: F&M, Fort Smith Muni., runway 25, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,107 total, 724 in this make and model, 5,952 as pilot in command, 159 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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