# NTSB MIA94LA076: Piper PA-34-200, N1247T, Gulf Of Mexico, February 17, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1994, 11:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Gulf Of Mexico
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37497
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37497/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA076

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITION (FAILURE  TO REMAIN AWAKE) RESULTING IN EXTENDED FLIGHT OVER WATER FOLLOWED BY FUEL EXHAUSTION, TOTAL  LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND DITCHING BEFORE RETURNING TO LAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Ditching, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT FELL ASLEEP WHILE ENROUTE FROM SPRINGFIELD, KY TO CROSSVILLE, TN WHEN HE AWOKE 5 HOURS LATER HE FOUND THAT HE WAS OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO, 210 MILES SOUTH OF PANAMA CITY, FL, AND HAD ONLY 20  MINUTES OF FUEL REMAING. HE DECLARED MAYDAY ON 121.5 AND WAS ASSISTED BY COAST GUARD AND  AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT. THEY DIRECTED HIM TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT, ST. PETERSBURG, FL WHILE  ENROUTE TO THE AIRPORT THE ENGINES QUIT DUE TO  FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS DITCHED, 70 MILES WEST OF ST. PETERSBURG. HE WAS RESCUED BY A  COAST GUARD HELICOPTER.

## Factual narrative

On February 17, 1994, at 1155 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-34-200, N1247T, registered to Alan K. Clark, ditched in the Gulf of Mexico, about 70 nm west of St. Petersburg, Florida, following loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, while on a 14 CFR Part 91, business flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was not recovered and is presumed to be destroyed and the airline transport pilot was not injured. The flight originated at Springfield, Kentucky on February 17, 1994, at 0615.

The pilot stated that after departure from Springfield, Kentucky enroute to Crossville, Tennessee, he fell asleep due to not having had sufficient sleep. When he woke up about 1130 he was over the Gulf of Mexico, about 210 miles south of Panama City, Florida. The fuel quantity gauges showed almost empty. He transmitted a mayday on 121.5 mhz and reported that he was running out of fuel. Air Force and Coast Guard aircraft heard the mayday and they located and joined up with him, and directed him toward St. Petersburg, Florida, the closest airport. After flying 100 miles toward St. Petersburg, both engines stopped due to fuel exhaustion and he ditched. A Coast Guard helicopter arrived on scene and he was rescued.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1247T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1247T-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 34-7250271, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7250271
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Rich, James Bell
- Registered owner: Alan K. Clark
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 29, 1993, 50 hours before
- Departed: 6I2, SPRINGFIELD, KY
- Destination: CSV, CROSSVILLE, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,200 total, 200 in this make and model, 6,800 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19940217002589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940217002589A), Feb 17, 1994: Piper PA34200, Gulf Of Mexico, Destroyed. Fell asleep en route due pilot fatigue. Awoke over Gulf Mexico. Led toward dpg by USCG. Ran out of fuel and ditched

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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