# NTSB FTW86FPA04: Piper PA-24-250, N6393P, Terrell, TX, October 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1985, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Terrell, TX
- Coordinates: 32.729328, -96.289192 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7293&lon=-96.2892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FPA04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21921/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FPA04

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel system,selector/valve - leak (cause)
  - maintenance - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE ACFT TRAVELED THROUGH A BARBED WIRE FENCE DURING A FORCED LANDING SHORT OF RWY 35 AT TERRELL ARPT. WHEN APRX 1 MILE FROM THE ARPT, THE ENG QUIT. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE FUEL SELECTOR, HOWEVER, BY APPLYING A FULL RICH MIXTURE AND TURNING ON THE BOOST PUMP, THE PLT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN ENG PWR. AS THE TURN ONTO FINAL APCH WAS MADE THE ENG QUIT AGAIN. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN 700 FT SHORT OF THE RWY. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS DISMANTLED AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND REWORKED IN ACCORDANCE WITH PIPER SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 354B.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6393P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6393P), registered now, S/N 24-1503 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-250
- Airframe hours: 684
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1C5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paula Collins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 1985, 1 hours before
- Departed: DAL, DALLAS, TX
- Airport: TRL, Terrell, runway 36, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 315 total, 23 in this make and model, 178 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19851031055889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851031055889A), Oct 31, 1985: Piper PA24250, Terrell, TX, Substantial damage. Ran through fence short of runway during forced landing due to fuel exhaustion.

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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