# NTSB NYC84FA313: Piper PA-34-200T, N4512E, Buffalo, NY, September 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1984, 03:36 local (07:36 UTC)
- Place: Buffalo, NY
- Coordinates: 42.920291, -78.850326 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9203&lon=-78.8503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35368
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA313
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35368/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA313

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - utility pole

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED ON MAIN STREET, BUFFALO, NY, WHILE EXECUTING A FORCED LANDING DURING AN AIR TAXI CARGO OPERATION. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT BASED ON FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS THE PLT HAD NOT ALLOWED FOR ALL CONTINGENCIES DURING HIS ORGINAL FLT PLANNING & THE ACFT WAS OPERATED IN AVERY PRECARIOUS CONDITION DURING THE LATTER STAGES OF FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4512E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7970444
- Airframe hours: 1820
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 7S10-360-EB 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Sair Aviation
- Registered owner: Gregory & Stephens Leasing Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 1984, 45 hours before
- Departed: MKG, MUSKEGON, MI
- Destination: SYR, SYRACUSE, NY
- Airport: BUF, Greater Buffalo Int'L, runway 5, 8,102 × 150 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,543 total, 41 in this make and model, 3,955 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 70° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15,000 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BUF, 5 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 19840915028769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840915028769A), Sep 15, 1984: Piper PA34200T, Buffalo, NY, Destroyed. Pilot failed to refuel at 135 cargo destination. Ran out of fuel as ATC was vectoring to airport. Landed on street.

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.