# NTSB NYC90LA222: Piper PA-31-350, N250SC, Norridgewock, ME, August 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1990, 08:15 local (12:15 UTC)
- Place: Norridgewock, ME
- Location: 44.7228° N, 69.7631° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Norridgewock, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7228&lon=-69.7631&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36741
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36741/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA222

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT AND INFLIGHT PLANNING OF THE FUEL, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AND FORCED LANDING.

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel system - exhaustion
  - in-flight planning/decision - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO LAND BECAUSE OF FOG. HE DIVERTED TO TWO OTHER AIRPORTS, BUT THESE WERE ALSO FOGGED IN. WHILE FLYING TO A THIRD AIRPORT, BOTH ENGINES QUIT AND THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN A FIELD. AN ON SITE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRPLANE HAD NO FUEL IN THE TANKS. THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED HE HAD NOT CHECKED THE FUEL QUANTITY BEFORE THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT STATED THE FIRST TIME HE REALIZED HE DIDN'T HAVE FUEL IN THE AUXILIARY TANKS WAS WHEN HE SELECTED THEM WHILE DIVERTING TO THE THIRD AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N250SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N250SC-1992-10-23), registration cancelled 1992-10-23, S/N 317752076 (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: 31-7752076
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Telford Aviation, Inc.
- Departed: BGR, BANGOR, ME
- Destination: WVY, WATERVILLE, ME
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,250 total, 900 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900824039709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900824039709A), Aug 24, 1990: Piper PA31350, Norridgewock, ME, Substantial damage. Fuel exhaustion. Crash landed in field. Used fuel trying to locate VFR airport. Aux tanks not fueled. Did not check

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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