# NTSB FTW94LA063: Piper PA-34-200, N1063U, Vacherie, LA, January 7, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 7, 1994, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Vacherie, LA - Coordinates: 29.960176, -90.70935 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9602&lon=-90.7094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18986 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18986/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA063 ## Probable cause WAS FUEL EXHAUSTION ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - all engines - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - pole ## Analysis THE AIRCRAFT LOST ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION IN BOTH ENGINES 25 MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE NEW ORLEANS VORTAC (MSY). THE PILOT ALIGNED THE AIRPLANE WITH A ROAD. WHEN HE DETERMINED HE WAS LANDING DOWN WIND AND THE ROAD WAS COMING TO AN END, HE TURNED TOWARDS AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE AND CAME TO REST IN A CANAL. THE PILOT HAD MADE MULTIPLE STOPS ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT HE REFUELED AT ANY OF THE STOPS. ## Factual narrative On January 7, 1994, at 1330 central standard time, a PA-34-200, N1063U, was substantially damaged near Vacherie, Louisiana during a forced landing. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 135 air taxi flight. According to FAA records the pilot's route of flight was from New Orleans Lakefront Airport (NEW), New Orleans Moisant Field Airport (MSY), Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT), Lake Charles Regional Airport (LCH), Lafayette Regional Airport, and returning to New Orleans Moisant Field Airport. ATC lost radar contact 25 miles southwest of the New Orleans VORTAC (MSY). Evidence indicated the pilot did not refuel at any of the stops. It was determined from information provided by the FAA, that the aircraft departed LFT for MSY with approximately 15.26 gallons of fuel on board. The manufacturer's specifications established that the aircraft has approximately 5 gallons of unusable fuel. Performance data provided by the manufacturer concluded the following for the given atmospheric conditions: The aircraft would consume fuel at the rate of 18.14 gallons per hour. For this 45 minute flight the aircraft would have consumed 13.6 gallons of fuel. Usable fuel for the flight was 10.26 gallons. The pilot reported, that the left engine surged followed by a loss of power. He selected the left cross-feed, and the engine returned to normal operation. He then notified approach control of his fuel status. He further reported that ten minutes later both engines lost power and he declared an emergency. He then aligned the airplane with a road. When he determined he was landing down wind and the road was coming to an end, he turned towards an open field. He also reported that during the landing roll the airplane struck a telephone pole, turned 180 degrees, and came to rest in a canal. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1063U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1063U-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 34-7250049, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-7250049 - Airframe hours: 5050 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Air Ryer, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 8, 1993, 30 hours before - Departed: LFT, LAFAYETTE, LA - Destination: MSY, NEW ORLEANS, LA - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,535 total, 90 in this make and model, 1,445 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 72 °F ## 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 19940107000229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940107000229A), Jan 7, 1994: Piper PA34200, Vacherie, LA, Substantial damage. Lost both engines tried for road but downwind diverted to field. Hit pole landing. Ran into canal. Out of fuel. ## Other investigations on N1063U (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 MKC73DCJ25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC73DCJ25), Nov 26, 1972: Piper PA-34 (N1063U), Grand Island, NE, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.