# NTSB NYC91IA053: Piper PA-34-200T, N8434H, Elbridge, NY, December 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1990, 02:37 local (07:37 UTC)
- Place: Elbridge, NY
- Coordinates: 43.03017, -76.4402 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0302&lon=-76.4402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36813
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91IA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36813/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91IA053

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO CONDUCT A PROPER PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE FUEL TANKS, AND A MISREADING FUEL GAUGE WHICH RESULTED IN A DOUBLE POWER LOSS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - false indication (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - all engines
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night
  - weather condition - clouds
  - weather condition - snow
  - terrain condition - open field
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field
  - snow covered

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED SURGING FOLLOWED BY A DOUBLE POWER LOSS DURING A DESCENT IN IMC CONDITIONS AT NIGHT. HE BROKE OUT AT 1000 FT AGL, FOUND A FIELD AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING. THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED MINOR DAMAGE. THE FAA DID A POST INCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AND FOUND THE FUEL TANKS INTACT AND EMPTY. THE PILOT WAS INTERVIEWED AND SAID HE SAW THE FUEL TRUCK PULL UP TO HIS AIRPLANE AND THEN LEAVE SHORTLY THEREAFTER. ANOTHER COMPANY PILOT TOLD HIM HE COULD PICK UP HIS FUEL SLIP ON THE RETURN TRIP. ON THE PRECEDING FLIGHT THE PILOT SAID THE LEFT FUEL GAUGE WAS READING MORE THAN THE RIGHT FUEL GAUGE. WHEN CHECKED BY THE FAA, AFTER THE INCIDENT, THE LEFT FUEL GAUGE INDICATED FULL AND THE RIGHT FUEL GAUGE INDICATED EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8434H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8434H-2009-12-31), registration cancelled 2009-12-31, S/N 34-8133219, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-220T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-220t) (registry code 7103420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-8133219
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360KB 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Central Skyport, Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AGC, ALLEGHNEY CO., PA
- Destination: SYR, SYRACUSE, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,700 total, 500 in this make and model, 3,200 as pilot in command, 330 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- 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).

- [Incident 19901228056339I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901228056339I), Dec 28, 1990: Piper PA34220T, Skaneateles, NY, Minor damage. Both engines stopped operating inflight. Emergency landing in pasture.

## Other investigations on N8434H (1)

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.

- [NTSB BFO92LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA024), Jan 23, 1992: Piper PA-34-200T (N8434H), Columbus, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: FUEL STARVATION IN BOTH ENGINES, DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE ENGINE OR FUEL CONTROLS.

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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