# NTSB FTW88LA102: Piper PA-24-250, N2RD, Floresville, TX, May 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1988, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Floresville, TX
- Coordinates: 29.13051, -98.150741 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1305&lon=-98.1507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22641
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22641/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA102

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,tank - collapsed (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING FULL POWER AND THE PILOT HAD TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING IN A PASTURE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A FENCE. THE PILOT SAID HE FOUND FUEL IN BOTH TANKS BUT THE RIGHT TANK HAD COLLAPSED DUE TO THE TANK VENT BEING PLUGGED WITH RESIDUE THAT WAS PLACED THERE BY MUD DAUBERS. HE SAID THE LEFT TANK STILL HAD MORE FUEL REMAINING THAN THE RIGHT AND HAD NOT COLLAPSED. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, THIS AIRPLANE HAS INDIVIDUAL FUEL TANK VENTS AND THEY ARE NOT INTERCONNECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2RD (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 368
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jon S. Blocker
- Registered owner: Blocker, Jon S
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1987
- Departed: 9R5, PORTLAND, TX
- Destination: SAT, SAN ANTONIO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 322 total, 34 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19880515070029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880515070029A), May 15, 1988: Piper PA24250, Floresville, TX, Substantial damage. Lost partial power. Hit a fence on forced landing. Fuel tank selected had collapsed. Vent clogged by mud daubers.

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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