Piper PA-30K N400RD
7 September 1992 · Schaghticoke, New York, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 7 September 1992 at about 20:32 local time, a Piper PA-30K registered N400RD, operated by Marjo Flyers Incorporated, was involved in an accident near Schaghticoke, New York, United States. 4 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 20:32
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Schaghticoke, New York, United States
- Coordinates
- 42.8893, -73.5793
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-30K
- Registration
- N400RD
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Marjo Flyers Incorporated
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Rockland → White Plains
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Dusk
- NTSB number
- BFO92LA129
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Probable cause
THE LOSS OF TOTAL ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOSS OF TOTAL ELECTRICAL POWER.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
ABOUT 1 HOUR AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE PILOT CONTACTED THE TOWER BY A HAND HELD RADIO AND REPORTED THE SITUATION. IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE FLIGHT WOULD CONTINUE TO ALBANY, NEW YORK, WHERE VMC EXISTED. ON APPROACH INTO ALBANY, ABOUT 2 HOURS AFTER TAKEOFF, BOTH ENGINES LOST TOTAL POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING. DURING THE IMPACT SEQUENCE, THE MAIN AND AUXILIARY FUEL TANKS WERE BREACHED. A FUEL QUANTITY COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THREE QUARTERS OF A GALLON OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN BOTH THE TIP TANKS. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE SHOWED THAT ALL SWITCHES WERE IN THE OFF POSITION EXCEPT FOR THE FUEL PUMPS AND MAGNETOS SWITCHES. FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT ALTERNATOR REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 2 FIELD WIRE TO THE TERMINAL WAS BROKEN PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE RIGHT ALTERNATOR WAS FUNCTIONAL. THE BATTERY WAS FOUND DISCHARGED. FOR THIS AIRPLANE, ONE ALTERNATOR PROVIDES SUFFICIENT VOLTAGE BUT MUST BE SELECTED IN ORDER TO OPERATE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Aug 1992 | Taylorcraft BC-65 | Suffern, New York, United States | Paul K. Nozell | Serious injuries | - |
| 27 Jul 1992 | MBB BO-105CBS | Brooklyn, New York, United States | New York City Police Dept | Unknown | - |
| 2 Oct 1992 | Piper PA-28R-200 | Akron, New York, United States | Robert S. Gordy | Serious injuries | - |
| 18 Jan 1992 | Douglas DC-9-30 | Horseheads, New York, United States | Usair | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 Dec 1992 | Piper PA-22-108 | Williamson, New York, United States | Williamson Flying Club, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 8 Dec 1992 | Boeing 737-300LR | Flushing, New York, United States | Usair | Fatal | - |