# NTSB FTW85FA137: Piper PA-23-250, N6310U, Foss, OK, March 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1985, 09:17 local (15:17 UTC)
- Place: Foss, OK
- Coordinates: 35.450431, -99.169692 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4504&lon=-99.1697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21532
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21532/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,line fitting - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - leak (cause)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - separation (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

INFLT FIRE AT REAR OF LFT ENG CAUSED BY FITTING OF INLET FUEL LINE TO ENG DRIVEN FUEL PUMP BEING MORE THAN 1 & 1/2 TURNS FROM FINGER TIGHT PLT WAS A&P MECH AND DID MAINT ON A/C AND HAD HELPED INSTALL LFT ENG 19.8 HRS PRIOR TO ACCIDENT . LFT WING SEPARATED WHEN LOWER SPAR CAP WAS NEAR MELTING POINT. THE DISQUALIFYING FOR FLYING DRUG METABOLITE OF PHENDIMETRAZINE WAS FOUND DURING THE TOXICOLOGICAL EXAM THIS DRUG CAN ONLY LEGALLY BE OBTAINED BY PRESCRIPTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6310U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6310U-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 27-7954007, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 277954007
- Airframe hours: 1212
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Remote Sensing Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 1984, 45 hours before
- Departed: OKC, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
- Destination: ELK, ELK CITY, OK
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 21,000 total, 150 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OKC, 90 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 19850305052609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850305052609A), Mar 5, 1985: Piper PA23250, Foss, OK, Destroyed. Intense fire in flight with separation of left wing. Fuel line fitting to pump loose on left engine.

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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