# NTSB FTW87FA149: Piper PA-60-601, N7481S, Hillsboro, TX, June 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1987, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Hillsboro, TX
- Coordinates: 32.000885, -97.109863 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0009&lon=-97.1099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22253
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22253/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA149

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

APRX 3 MIN AFTER LEVELING AT 6500', THE ACFT BEGAN LOSING PWR DESPITE ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BY USING BOOST PUMP & X-FEED. SUBSEQUENTLY, BOTH ENGS LOST POWER & THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DRG A WHEELS-UP LNDG IN A MILO FIELD. AN EXAM REVEALED THE UPPER & LOWER FUEL VENT LINES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ACFT, AS WELL AS THE LOWER VENT LINE DRAINS, WERE PARTIALLY OR FULLY CLOGGED BY HARD DIRT. THE DIRT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN DEPOSITED BY WASPS. THE ACFT HAD FLOWN ONLY ABOUT 2.7 HRS SINCE THE LAST ANNUAL INSPN ON 6/6/87.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7481S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7481S-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 61-0048-93, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60-601
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 601](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-601) (registry code 8360606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61004893
- Airframe hours: 2862
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-G1B5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cary E.Gillum
- Registered owner: Cary E Gillum
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1987, 2 hours before
- Departed: F42, MESQUITE, TX
- Destination: CRP, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,850 total, 452 in this make and model, 3,440 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACT, 15 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 19870622028639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870622028639A), Jun 22, 1987: Piper PA60601, Hillsboro, TX, Substantial damage. Lost both engines on level off. Landed gear up in a milo field. Clogged fuel vents not seen in annual or by pilot.

## Other investigations on N7481S (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 OAK77FA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK77FA051), Aug 26, 1977: Aerostar 601 (N7481S), Little Norway, CA, substantial damage, 4 fatal

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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