# NTSB MKC86LA144: Piper PA-24-250, N6FF, Davenport, IA, July 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1986, 14:03 local (19:03 UTC)
- Place: Davenport, IA
- Coordinates: 41.540237, -90.559112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5402&lon=-90.5591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34208
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34208/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA144

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE OWNER OF THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT FLOWN SINCE 1980 AND WAS RECEIVING INSTRUCTION TO BECOME CURRENT AND WAS TO RECEIVE A BFR ON THIS TRIP ALSO. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN REBUILT AFTER A FORCED LANDING AND ALSO HAD JUST RECEIVED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN DELIVERED BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL ON THIS FLIGHT UNTIL THE LANDING GEAR HANDLE WAS PLACED TO EXTEND. WHEN THE GEAR DID NOT EXTEND, A GO-AROUND WAS MADE AND GEAR WAS EXTENEDED AFTER THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS WERE PUSHED IN. ON TURN TO FINAL, THE ENGINE QUIT AND AIRPLANE MADE A FORCED LANDING SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. INSPECTION REVEALED TANKS EMPTY, TANKS COLLAPSED UPWARD TO THE EXTENT THE FUEL QUANTITY SENDERS WERE INDICATING THERE WAS STILL FUEL IN TANKS. INSECTS WERE FOUND IN PLUGGED FUEL TANK VENTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6FF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1582
- Airframe hours: 2581
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert W. Berry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: IG5, MEDINA, OH
- Airport: DVN, Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 28,000 total, 25 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19860703040799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860703040799A), Jul 3, 1986: Piper PA24250, Davenport, IA, Substantial damage. Struck a fence during forced landing due to fuel exhaustion. Fuel tank vents plugged, bladders collapsed.

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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