# NTSB GAA19CA053: Piper PA24, N3214P, Texico, NM, November 5, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 5, 2018, 16:55 local (23:55 UTC) - Place: Texico, NM - Coordinates: 34.38861, -103.044998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3886&lon=-103.0450&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 10, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98610 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98610/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98610 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA053 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, the day before the accident flight, he had fully refueled the airplane’s fuel tanks (60 gallons of fuel), conducted a run-up of the engine, and conducted a local flight around the pattern to troubleshoot an electrical issue that was later resolved. The pilot reported that, on the day of the accident, during the preflight inspection for the cross-country flight, the airplane was only "two gallons shy of full." About 2.5 hours into the flight, after switching the fuel tanks multiple times en route, he switched to the left main fuel tank to prepare for landing. He added that, about 4 miles south of the destination airport, the engine lost power, the airplane was "too low," and he set up to land on a nearby road. The airplane landed with the gear retracted and struck multiple signs before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, fuselage, and empennage. During a postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, both fuel tanks were found empty, and no evidence of fuel leakage was found at the accident site. During a telephone conversation, the pilot reported that the total flight time the day of the accident was about 3.1 hours and that he was not aware of any preaccident mechanical failures. He estimated that the fuel burn was about 14 gallons per hour and that, during the accident flight, there was about a 17-knot headwind. The Pilot’s Operating Handbook for the airplane stated that, while at 75% power, the airplane has about 3.7 hours of fuel endurance. Given the evidence, it is likely that the pilot did not ensure that there was adequate fuel onboard for the accident flight, which led to fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, the day before the accident flight, he had refueled the airplane to full tanks (60 gallons of fuel), did a runup of the engine, and a local flight around the pattern to trouble shoot an electrical issue, which was later resolved. The day of the accident, during the prefight for the cross country flight, the airplane was only "two gallons shy of full" during his visual inspection. About 2.5 hours into the flight after switching fuel tanks multiple times en route, he switched to the left main fuel tank to prepare for landing. He added that about 4 miles south of the destination airport the engine lost power, the airplane was "too low", and he set up to land on a nearby road. The airplane landed with the gear retracted and struck multiple signs before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, fuselage, and empennage. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that, the pilot stated that the airplane flew approximately one hour on the left tank, and then switched to the right tank. The pilot then flew approximately 1.5 hours on the right tank, then felt some buffeting (engine sputter) and turned the boost pump on and switched back to the left tank. The pilot reported that this occurred about 23 miles southeast of the destination airport. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB IIC, the pilot reported that the total flight time the day of the accident was about 3.1 hours, and that there were no preaccident mechanical failures that he knew of. He added that he estimated the fuel burn at about 14 gallons an hour, and estimated that during the accident flight there was about a 17 knot head wind. The pilot operating handbook for the airplane states under the endurance/range of the 56 gallon tank airplane, that while at 75% power the airplane has about 3.7 hours of fuel. During a post-accident examination by the FAA inspector, both fuel tanks were empty with no usable fuel onboard and no fuel leak indications at the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3214P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3214P-2022-01-18), registration cancelled 2022-01-18, S/N 24-292, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA24 (250) - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-292 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 3433.83 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2018 - Departed: EDC, Austin, TX - Destination: CVN, Texico, NM - Airport: CVN, Clovis Muni, runway 30, 5,697 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 28, 2018; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 153 total, 29 in this make and model, 73 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 280° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KCVN, 3 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 20181105021519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181105021519A), Nov 5, 2018: Piper PA-24-250, Texico, NM, Substantial damage. The pilot stated he filled both fuel tanks (60 gallons fuel on-board) prior to departing austin executive airport ( edc). He said he flew approximately one… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 18, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98610. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 923 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471095&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 155 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471096&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471097&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - FAA Statement (item 4, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471098&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 5, .PDF, 1 photo, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471099&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-Master.PDF - POH (item 6, .PDF, 301 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471100&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=POH-Master.PDF 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.