# NTSB FTW89LA087: Piper PA-32-300, N8654N, Eufaula, OK, April 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1989, 17:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Eufaula, OK
- Coordinates: 35.290836, -95.580543 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2908&lon=-95.5805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22860
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22860/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA087

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION, AND HIS FAILURE TO FOLLOWED THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE.    A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  ROUGH TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THE ACFT WAS FULLY SVCD WITH FUEL BEFORE HE DEPARTED ON A X-COUNTRY FLT FM ARLINGTON, TX, TO BENTONVILLE, AR. WHILE CRUISING AT 8500' ON THE RTRN FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT RPRTD THAT HE TURNED THE EMERGENCY FUEL PUMP ON & SWITCHED TANKS, THEN TURNED THE PUMP OFF; THE ENG DID NOT RESTART, SUBSEQUENTLY, AN EMERGENCY LANDING MAS MADE ON ROUGH TERRAIN (ABOUT 3 MI FM THE ARPT) & THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE LEFT MAIN TANK. THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED DURING THE LANDING & AN ESTIMATED 35 GAL OF FUEL DRAINED FROM THE LEFT TANKS. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT TANK(S). DURING A POST ACDNT CHECK, THE ENG OPERATED NORMALLY WITH ONLY MINOR REPAIR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8654N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8654N-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 32-7240004, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (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: 32-7240004
- Airframe hours: 3801
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bauer, Kathleen
- Registered owner: Kathleen, Bauer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 28, 1988, 53 hours before
- Departed: H00, BENTONVILLE, AR
- Destination: F54, ARLINGTON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 850 total, 603 in this make and model, 722 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLC, 21 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 19890426010099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890426010099A), Apr 26, 1989: Piper PA32300, Eufaula, OK, Substantial damage. Fuel starvation en route due to mismanagement,crash landed short of vectored airport. Boost pump off on restart.

## Other investigations on N8654N (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 MKC85LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA147), Jul 4, 1985: Piper PA-32-300 (N8654N), Point Lookout, MO, substantial damage

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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