# NTSB FTW87LA049: Piper PA-31, N76ND, Medford, OK, January 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1987, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Medford, OK
- Coordinates: 36.800003, -97.729133 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8000&lon=-97.7291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22318
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22318/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA049

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command
  - propeller feathering - not attained, pilot in command
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - overload (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A DOUBLE ENG FAILURE AS A RESULT OF FUEL EXHAUSTION DURING DESCENT TO THE DESTINATION APRT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO DIVERT TO A NEARBY ARPT DURING THE DESCENT, BUT BOTH ENGS QUIT BEFORE HE HAD THE RWY ASSURED. THE SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN THE LEFT ENG RESTARTED DURING THE FLARE AND SPUN THE ACFT AROUND TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT WING TIP STRUCK THE GROUND, YAWING THE ACFT ON TOUCHDOWN. ALL 3 LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AS A RESULT OF SIDE LOADS. THE PLT STATED THAT ADVERSE WINDS ALOFT EXTENDED THE FLT AND PREVENTED HIM FROM ARRIVING AT THE DESTINATION ARPT AND THAT WHEN HE BECAME AWARE OF THE CRITICAL FUEL STATE, IT WAS TOO LATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N76ND (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 317612006
- Airframe hours: 4979
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-A2C 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Univ. Of North Dakota
- Registered owner: University Of North Dakota
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 22, 1987
- Departed: FAR, FARGO, ND
- Destination: WDG, ENID, OK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: OK68, Medford Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 962 total, 6 in this make and model, 780 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: END, 25 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 19870128001229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870128001229A), Jan 28, 1987: Piper PA31310, Medford, OK, Substantial damage. The engines failed from fuel exhaustion on final approach. The pilot was attempting to land due to low fuel.

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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