# NTSB FTW85FA052: Piper PA-31-350, N333TB, San Antonio, TX, November 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1984, 06:48 local (12:48 UTC)
- Place: San Antonio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.520515, -98.520004 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5205&lon=-98.5200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21509
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21509/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA052

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - not selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF BOTH ENGINES BEGAN TO SURGE. PLT STATED HE DID NOT SWITCH FUEL TANKS DURING EMERG PROCEDURE BECAUSE HE KNEW OUTBOARD TANKS WERE EMPTY. COMPANY POLICY WAS TO CARRY ON 10 GALLONS OF FUEL IN OUTBOARD TANKS. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED INBOARD TANKS WERE FULL BUT SELECTORS WERE POSITIONED TO OUTBOARD TANKS. PLT STATED SELECTORS WERE NOT CHECKED AFTER TAKEOFF. DURING EMERG PROCEDURES AND SUBSEQUENT LANDING ON A GOLF COURSE PLT DID NOT FEATHER PROPS OR LOWER FLAPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N333TB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7552008
- Airframe hours: 2179
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Texas National Airlines, Inc.
- Registered owner: Texas National Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 10, 1984, 20 hours before
- Departed: SAT, SAN ANTONIO, TX
- Destination: CRP, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,432 total, 54 in this make and model, 6,729 as pilot in command, 147 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 3 nm away

## 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 19841115064639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841115064639A), Nov 15, 1984: Piper PA31350, San Antonio, TX, Destroyed. Landed in park after engines quit. Fuel selector was on empty outboard tanks which were not to be used.

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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