# NTSB NYC85FA240: Piper PA-31-350, N62994, West Mifflin, PA, September 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1985, 15:36 local (19:36 UTC)
- Place: West Mifflin, PA
- Coordinates: 40.359531, -79.899726 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3595&lon=-79.8997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35581
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA240
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35581/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA240

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate surveillance,inadequate procedure, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

DURING AN AIR TAXI FLIGHT THE PILOT TRANSMITTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS OUT OF FUEL AND LANDING ON A GOLF COURSE. LESS THAN ONE GALLON OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE WRECKAGE. THE AIRPLANE WAS MAKING AN UNPLANNED RETURN TRIP TO PICK UP PASSENGERS AFTER A CANCELLED BUSINESS MEETING AND THERE WAS A PILOT IN COMMAND CHANGE ON THE RETURN FLIGHT. FUEL QUANTITY WAS THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN ENOUGH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62994](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62994-1989-03-15), registration cancelled 1989-03-15, S/N 317752137 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-77552137
- Airframe hours: 3226
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540 SER 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: York Aero, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 23, 1985, 39 hours before
- Departed: ELM, ELMIRA, NY
- Destination: G08, ROSTRAVER, PA
- Airport: AGC, Allegheny County, runway 28, 6,500 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,080 total, 100 in this make and model, 2,850 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AGC

## 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 19850917050869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850917050869A), Sep 17, 1985: Piper PA31350, Pittsburgh, PA, Substantial damage. Struck a tree during forced landing on a golf course. Fuel sulpply exhausted.

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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