FTW97LA158

After approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes of uneventful flight, the pilot of the twin engine airplane declared an emergency, citing that both engines were starving for fuel. At that time, the airplane was about 5 miles south of the destination airport. Unable to safety reach a runway, the pilot elected to land on taxiway 'L.' However, the landing gear did not fully extend before touch down, and the airplane was subsequently damaged.

On April 12, 1997, at 0454 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-31-350, Mexican registration XASBM, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power (both engines) at El Paso International Airport, El Paso, Texas. The international on-demand air cargo flight, operating under Title 14 CFR Part 129, was repositioning to El Paso after a cargo delivery to Mexico. The two occupants, the pilot-in-command and one pilot rated passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight plan was filed. The flight originated at 0130 from Monterey, Mexico.

According to El Paso tower personnel, at 0440, the pilot of XASBM reported in on tower frequency to commence an approach to the airport. At 0446, tower issued a clearance to the pilot to descend to 7,000 feet. Approximately 0449, the pilot advised tower that the airport was in sight, and then was cleared for a visual approach and landing to runway 26L. At 0451, the pilot advised tower the aircraft's engines were "starving for fuel, mayday." He relayed to tower that he thought that he could make runway 26L, but subsequently requested the taxiway and stated that he had "two dead engines." Approximately 0454, tower personnel observed the aircraft touch down on taxiway "L", proceed to skid off the taxiway, and come to rest south of the taxiway, near the intersection of taxiway "L" and taxiway "V".

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he fueled the aircraft to a total of 150 gallons prior to departure from Monterey, Mexico. He stated that he flew the aircraft at an altitude of 16,000 feet and operated the engines at "best economy" for the 3 hour flight from Monterey to El Paso. He further stated that the landing gear did not fully extend prior to ground contact, resulting in structural damage to the wings and fuselage.

According to the engine manufacturer's operator manual, the following fuel consumption chart outlines approximate fuel burn rates at several different power settings:

Operation RPM HP gallons per hour / per engine

Normal Rated 2,500 350 38.5

Performance 2,400 260 22.0 Cruise(75%rated)

Economy 2,200 210 15.0 Cruise(60%rated)