# NTSB FTW94LA136: Piper PA-31-350, N44AC, Laredo, TX, April 21, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 21, 1994, 08:05 local (13:05 UTC) - Place: Laredo, TX - Coordinates: 27.510396, -99.499313 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5104&lon=-99.4993&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19043 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19043/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA136 ## Probable cause THE FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT AND HIS FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN 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, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr) - all engines - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - rough/uneven - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT ABOUT 5 MILES SHORT OF HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE RIGHT ENGINE LOW FUEL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SURGE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE LEFT ENGINE BEGAN TO SURGE AND BOTH SUBSEQUENTLY LOST TOTAL POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING INTO ROUGH BRUSH COVERED TERRAIN. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT CHECK THE TANKS DURING PREFLIGHT, BUT INSTEAD RELIED ON THE GAUGES WHICH HE THOUGHT INDICATED HE HAD ENOUGH FUEL FOR THE FLIGHT. ## Factual narrative On April 21, 1994, approximately 0805 central daylight time, a Piper PA-31-350, N44AC, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Laredo, Texas. The airplane, owned and operated by Aeropac, and flown by an ATP rated pilot, was on a cargo flight. An IFR flight plan was filed and in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight departed San Antonio, Texas, at 0729, en route to Laredo, Texas. The pilot stated that when he was about 45 miles north of Laredo, he noticed that the fuel gauges were indicating about 1/4 full with the right gauge reading higher than the left. The pilot stated that at that time he felt he had adequate fuel to make the destination, but not enough for reserves. He further stated he decided to have the gauges checked when he arrived in Laredo. He stated that about 5 miles north of the airport, the right engine low fuel light illuminated and the engine began to surge. This was followed shortly thereafter by the left engine beginning to surge. The pilot stated he realized at that point he was out of fuel. Both engines experienced a total power loss and were secured by the pilot. He subsequently executed a gear up forced landing in scrub brush after flying under a set of power lines. The pilot also stated he did not check the tanks during preflight, but instead relied on the gauges which indicated that he had enough fuel to make the trip. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44AC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44AC), registered now, S/N 31-8052147, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350 - Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (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: 31-8052147 - Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Aeropac - Registered owner: Oyler, Jerry W. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SAT, SAN ANTONIO, TX - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 6,880 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LRD, 5 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 19940421038069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940421038069A), Apr 21, 1994: Piper PA31350, Laredo, TX, Substantial damage. Five miles to destination lost power both engine due fuel depletion. Landed heavy brush. No preflight fuel check. 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.