# NTSB NYC87LA156: Piper PA-31-350, N59728, Cooperstown, NY, May 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1987, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Cooperstown, NY
- Coordinates: 42.700664, -74.919128 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7007&lon=-74.9191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30656
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30656/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA156

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE DEPARTED FARMINGDALE WITH TWO PLUS HOURS OF FUEL ON BOARD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MINUTES OF FLIGHT, THE RIGHT LOW FUEL PRESSURE LIGHT AND RIGHT FUEL PUMP LIGHT FLASHED STEADY RED. THE PILOT RECHECKED HIS CALCULATIONS AND DETERMINED HE SHOULD HAVE SUFFICIENT FUEL ON BOARD. HOWEVER, HE ELECTED TO DIVERT TO THE CLOSEST AIRPORT. SIX MILES FROM THE AIRPORT BOTH FUEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND BOTH ENGINES QUIT. THE PILOT SELECTED A FIELD AND EXECUTED A WHEELS UP LANDING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO FUEL REMAINING IN THE TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59728](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59728-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 31-7652007, built 1975 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7652007
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Seco Leasing Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1986, 49 hours before
- Departed: FRG, FARMINGDALE, NY
- Destination: UCA, UTICA, NY
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 13,904 total, 1,696 in this make and model, 13,802 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870530021629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870530021629A), May 30, 1987: Piper PA31350, Cooperstown, NY, Substantial damage. Experienced fuel exhaustion. Made an intentional wheels up landing in a rough field.

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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