Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary BFO92LA033

QIOQUINTON, VA, USA

Aircraft #1

N27613

PIPER PA-31-350

Analysis

THE AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT WAS DIVERTING TO HIS NEW DESTINATION WHEN BOTH ENGINES LOST POWER. A GEAR UP LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD 3 MILES NE OF THE AIRPORT. WHILE EN ROUTE THE PILOT OBSERVED THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION FROM THE LEFT TANK, SO HE RECALCULATED THE FUEL HE HAD REMAINING ON BOARD WHICH HE DETERMINED TO BE TWO HOURS. HE PROCEEDED TO HIS DESTINATION AS IT WAS ONLY 50 MINUTES AWAY FROM HIS PRESENT POSITION. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE FUEL SYSTEM BY THE FAA REVEALED THE CROSSFEED FUEL LINE DRAIN VALVE WAS OPEN. THERE WERE NO OTHER ABNORMALITIES FOUND IN THE SYSTEM.

Probable Cause and Findings

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION BECAUSE OF AN OPEN CROSSFEED FUEL LINE DRAIN VALVE.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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