# NTSB FTW95LA131: Piper PA-24-250, N5613P, Carlsbad, NM, February 26, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 25, 1995, 23:58 local (Feb 26, 1995, 06:58 UTC) - Place: Carlsbad, NM - Coordinates: 32.400604, -104.2304 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4006&lon=-104.2304&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19363 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19363/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA131 ## Probable cause FUEL EXHAUSTION ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO A LEAK IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. FACTORS WERE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS AND 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) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - fuel system,drain - leak (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis AFTER 4 HOURS OF DARK NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE GEAR UP IN A FIELD. EN ROUTE, THE PILOT NOTED THE FUEL GAUGES READING 'LOWER THAN NORMAL,' BUT ELECTED TO CONTINUE TO THE DESTINATION AS HIS 'CALCULATIONS SHOWED WE COULD MAKE IT WITH FUEL TO SPARE.' THE AIRCRAFT WAS REFUELED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE AND THE PILOT ESTIMATED A TIME EN ROUTE OF 4.1 HOURS WITH A TOTAL OF 5.3 HOURS OF FUEL ON BOARD. FOLLOWING THE FORCED LANDING, THE PILOT EXAMINED 'THE GASCOLATOR AND, FINDING NO FUEL IN THE BOWL, CONCLUDED THE QUICK DRAIN HAD BEEN LEAKING SINCE HE CHECKED THE FUEL PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.' ## Factual narrative On February 25, 1995, at 2358 mountain standard time, a Piper PA- 24-250, N5613P, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Carlsbad, New Mexico. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The private pilot rated passenger was not injured. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight. Prior to departing Texarkana, Arkansas, for Carlsbad, the pilot refueled the airplane and calculated an estimated time en route of 4.1 hours with a total of 5.3 hours of fuel on board. These figures are consistent with the performance charts found in the Piper PA-24 Owner's Handbook. The pilot stated that he "noted [fuel] gauges reading lower than normal north of Andrews, Texas" and "was planning a fuel stop in Hobbs if necessary." At this time he checked the weather at Hobbs and found that it was "IFR" with a thunderstorm in progress. The pilot "thought it best to continue to Carlsbad as my calculations showed we could make it with fuel to spare." About 10 miles northeast of Carlsbad, approximately four hours into the flight, the engine lost power. After attempting unsuccessfully to restart the engine, the pilot tried to identify a local highway to land on, "but as it was almost midnight local time, there was no traffic on the road" and he was unable to see it. He then "aimed for a dark area" and landed the airplane gear up in a field. Damage to the airplane included deformation of the lower firewall. The pilot examined the gascolator and found no fuel in the bowl. He "concluded that we had a leak [in the quick drain] after the fuel was checked in Texarkana and it continued to leak for the entire trip, causing at least a 12-gallon loss of fuel." ## Aircraft - Registration: N5613P (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-681 - Airframe hours: 4453 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1C5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Foucault, James F. - Registered owner: Gutierrez, Alberto H. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 1995, 8 hours before - Departed: TXK, TEXARKANA, AR - Destination: CNM - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,404 total, 420 in this make and model, 1,270 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 80° at 8 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °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 19950225002549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950225002549A), Feb 25, 1995: Piper PA24250, Carlsbad, NM, Substantial damage. Lost power after noting low fuel. Landed gear up in field. Beleive quick drain leaked 12 gallons fuel en route. 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.