# NTSB FTW86FPA03: Piper PA-28-235, N9348W, Yantis, TX, October 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1985, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Yantis, TX
- Coordinates: 32.930976, -95.56958 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9310&lon=-95.5696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21920
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FPA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21920/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FPA03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel system,selector/valve - dirty(foggy) (cause)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - movement restricted (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED A TREE AND A LARGE BALE OF HAY DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION DISCLOSED 18 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE LEFT MAIN TANK AND 3 GALLONS REMAINED IN THE LEFT WING TIP TANK.BOTH RIGHT WING FUEL TANKS WERE RUPTURED. A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL LINES AND THE FUEL STRAINER BOWL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS EMPTY. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SELECTOR REVEALED THE VALVE SEAT TO THERIGHT TIP TANK WAS COATED WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS PREVENTING THE VALVE FORM SEATING. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE ENG DRIVEN FUEL PUMP TO DRAW AIR WHEN THE RIGHT TIP TANK WAS EMPTIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9348W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9348W-2011-03-18), registration cancelled 2011-03-18, S/N 28-11035, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-11035
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Miller Aircraft Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 1985, 56 hours before
- Departed: 3R3, AUSTIN, TX
- Destination: 3I7, PHILLIPSBURG, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 771 total, 560 in this make and model, 704 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYLE, 35 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 19851031055539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851031055539A), Oct 31, 1985: Piper PA28235, Yantis, TX, Destroyed. Struck tree and hay bale during forced landing. Found ball check valve would not seat on right tip tank.

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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