# NTSB MIA84FA162: Piper PA-31-325, N3586W, Eglin Afb, FL, May 7, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1984, 21:18 local (May 7, 1984, 02:18 UTC)
- Place: Eglin Afb, FL
- Coordinates: 30.460498, -86.540809 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4605&lon=-86.5408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30990
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30990/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA162

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - performed, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller feathering - performed, pilot in command
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative
  - gear extension - not possible, pilot in command
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

AFTER ARRIVING AT EGLIN AFB, THE PLT DETERMINED HE WOULD NEED MORE FUEL TO COMPLETE THE NEXT LEG OF THE FLT. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO AVGAS REFUELING AVAILABLE AT EGLIN. THE PLT DISEMBARKED THE PAX & FLEW IFR TO FT WALTON BEACH TO REFUEL. A MISSED APPROACH WAS EXECUTED AT FT WALTON BEACH & THE PLT DIVERTED BACK TO EGLIN AFB. APRX 3 MI FROM EGLIN, THE RGT ENG QUIT. ON SHORT FINAL, THE LEFT ENG SURGED & THE PLT FEATHERED THE LEFT PROP. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO MANUALLY LOWER THE LANDING GEAR. THE NOSE GEAR DID NOT FULLY EXTEND & THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR DID NOT FULLY LOCK DOWN. AN INVESTIGATIONREVEALED THAT ALL FOUR FUEL TANKS WERE VIRTUALLY EMPTY, EXCEPT THE LEFT AUX TANK HAD ABOUT 5.5 GALS REMAINING. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL GAGES INDICATED THE TANKS WERE ABOUT 1/4 FULL JUST BEFORE THE ENGS LOST POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3586W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-325
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-8112016
- Airframe hours: 3517
- Engines: LYCOMING TSIO-540-F213 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air New Orleans
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 19, 1984, 19 hours before
- Departed: VPS, EGLIN AFB, FL
- Destination: 81J, FT WALTON BCH, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: VPS, Eglin Afb, runway 30, 13,000 × 300 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; 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: 3,600 total, 600 in this make and model, 3,600 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VPS

## 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 19840506061019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840506061019A), May 6, 1984: Piper PA31325, Elgin Afb, FL, Substantial damage. Crash occurred when engines quit from fuel exhaustion during instrument approach.

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.

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