# NTSB NYC92LA036: Piper PA-31-T1040, N24894, Portland, ME, November 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1991, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Portland, ME
- Location: 43.6332° N, 70.1853° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Portland, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6332&lon=-70.1853&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37112
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37112/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA036

## Probable cause

THE EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE DURING INFLIGHT FUEL TRANSFERRING, WHICH RESULTED IN THE RUPTURE OF THE WING TANK AND SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO THE WING.  ALSO CAUSAL TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE FUEL TANK VENT SYSTEM AND THE INACCURATE FUEL QUANTITY SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,transfer pump - pressure excessive (cause)
  - fuel system,vent - inadequate (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - incorrect (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - ruptured

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS ON A FERRY FLIGHT WITH AN AUXILIARY FUEL TANK IN THE FUSELAGE FOR INCREASED RANGE. DURING FUEL TRANSFER FROM THE AUXILIARY TANK TO THE MAIN WING TANK, THE FUEL PRESSURE BECAME EXCESSIVE AND THE WING TANK RUPTURED. THE PILOT SAID THE FUEL QUANTITY GAUGE WAS INACCURATE.  THE WING TANK VENT SYSTEM WAS NOT ADEQUATE TO HANDLE THE EXCESSIVE FUEL BEING SUPPLIED BY THE AUXILIARY TANK.  THE PILOT EXPERIENCED SOME FLIGHT CONTROL DIFFICULTY AFTER THE RUPTURE, BUT HE MANAGED TO LAND WITHOUT INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N24894 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-T1040 (PA-31-T104)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-T-8275001
- Airframe hours: 6161
- Engines: P&W PT6-11 500 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Southern Cross Aviation
- Registered owner: World Jet Aircraft Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, May 1, 1991
- Departed: EWR, NEWARK, NJ
- Destination: BGR, BANGOR, ME
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 13,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken

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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