# NTSB NYC82FFJ12: Piper PA-32, N260BB, Syracuse, NY, March 12, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1982, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Syracuse, NY
- Location: 43.0413° N, 76.1432° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Syracuse, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0413&lon=-76.1432&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 5 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72775
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FFJ12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72775/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FFJ12

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON A VFR FLIGHT PLAN WITH A LITTER PATIENT AND 3 OTHER PASSENGERS ONBOARD. THE RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK WAS USED FOR ABOUT THE FIRST 30 MINUTES OF FLIGHT, THEN THE PILOT SWITCHED TO THE LEFT MAIN TANK. WHILE EN ROUTE, AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN WAS OBTAINED WHEN THE DESTINATION WEATHER DID NOT IMPROVE TO VFR CONDITIONS AS FORECAST. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT BEFORE DESCENDING INTO THE CLOUDS FOR AN ILS APPROACH, HE PERFORMED A BEFORE LANDING CHECK AND SWITCHED BACK TO THE RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK.THE ENGINE LOST POWER ABRUPTLY WHILE ON THE APPROACH. THE PILOT BELIEVED THAT HE SWITCHED TO THE RIGHT TIP TANK, AND THEN LATER, BACK TO THE RIGHT MAIN TANK, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE. AS THE AIRCRAFT BROKE OUT OF THE CLOUDS, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER TO A CLEARING, BUT THE PLANE STRUCK TREES AND CRASHED. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TANK WHICH HAD ABOUT 3 PINTS OF FUEL REMAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N260BB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N260BB), registered now, S/N 32-7400045 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7400045
- Airframe hours: 2131
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E435 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Professional Pilots Inc.
- Registered owner: Jonanna Jones
- Departed: W16, WINCHESTER, VA
- Destination: MCCOLLUM, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SYR, Syracuse

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,840 total, 105 in this make and model, 5,530 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 99 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SYR, 2 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 19820312004709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820312004709A), Mar 12, 1982: Piper PA32260, Syracuse, NY, Substantial damage. Engine quit on ILS approach. Fuel selector on empty tank. Other fuel on board. Weather below landing minimum.

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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