# NTSB FTW85LA250: Piper PA-31-350, N7697L, Dallas, TX, June 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1985, 17:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Dallas, TX
- Coordinates: 32.660121, -96.840278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6601&lon=-96.8403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 10 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA250
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21770/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA250

## 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 - base turn
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT FILED AND FLT PLANNED FOR AN OVERWATER ROUTE BETWEEN CLEARWATER, FL, AND DALLAS, TX, WHICH WAS DENIED DUE TO ATC RESTRICTIONS. ON ARRIVAL OVER NEW ORLEANS, A PLANNED RE-FUELING STOP, THE PLT DETERMINED THAT HE WOULD MAKE IT TO DALLAS. ON ARRIVAL IN THE DALLAS AREA, HE ESTIMATED THAT HE COULD NOT MAKE LOVE FIELD (DAL) AND DIVERTED TO REDBIRD ARPT (RDB). ON BASE, BOTH ENGS QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE ACFT WAS LANDED LONG WITH THE GEAR AND FLAPS UP AND SLID OFF THE END OF THE RWY. PLT OVERFLEW AT LEAST 1 ARPT AFTER HE DECIDED TO DIVERT TO RDB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7697L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7697L-1997-05-21), registration cancelled 1997-05-21, S/N 317305027 (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: 31-7305027
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Suncoast Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PIE, ST. PETERSBURG, FL
- Destination: DAL, DALLAS, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RDB, Redbird, runway 17, 3,801 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,981 total, 36 in this make and model, 5,851 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDB

## 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 19850609023609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850609023609A), Jun 9, 1985: Piper PA31350, Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. Engines quit on base due to fuel exhaustion. Landed long, slid off runway. Flaps and gear could not be extended.

## Other investigations on N7697L (1)

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.

- [NTSB IAD79IA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79IA090), Sep 25, 1979: Piper PA-31 (N7697L), Morristown, NJ, incident, minor damage

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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