# NTSB FTW89LA109: Piper PA-30, N7959Y, Bristow, OK, June 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1989, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Bristow, OK
- Location: 35.8331° N, 96.3944° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bristow, OK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8331&lon=-96.3944&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22876
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22876/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA109

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL MANAGEMENT AND FAILURE OF THE INFLIGHT RESTART ATTEMPT.

## 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
  - all engines (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7959Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7959Y-2003-08-19), registration cancelled 2003-08-19, S/N 30-1056, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-1056
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Stevenson, Red, doing business as Red S. Aircraft Sales
- Registered owner: Stevenson, Red
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 0OK7, HASKELL, OK
- Destination: OKC, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
- Airport: 3F7, Jones Memorial

## 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: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,237 total, 11 in this make and model, 2,047 as pilot in command, 113 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUL, 39 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 19890606014439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890606014439A), Jun 6, 1989: Piper PA30, Bristow, OK, Substantial damage. Ran main tanks dry. Unable restart by switching tanks. Crashed into trees. Fuel in outboard and tip tanks.

## Other investigations on N7959Y (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 OAK74FVM12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74FVM12), Oct 26, 1973: Piper PA-30 (N7959Y), Watsonville, CA, 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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