Piper PA-31-350 N7144Z

Summary

On 13 January 1995 at about 14:15 local time, a Piper PA-31-350 registered N7144Z was involved in an accident near Burlington, North Carolina, United States. One person was on board and 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.

Date

13 January 1995 at 14:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Burlington, North Carolina, United States

Coordinates

36.0804, -79.4393

Aircraft

Piper PA-31-350

Registration

N7144Z

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Columbus → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL95LA039

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's improper pre-flight inspection, in that he failed to visually confirm the fuel quantity prior to departure.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT DEPARTED BURLINGTON ON THE PREVIOUS DAY ON A ROUND TRIP FLIGHT TO COLUMBUS, OHIO. HE WAS TOLD PRIOR TO THE DEPARTURE THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN FLOWN TWO TENTHS OF AN HOUR AFTER HAVING BEEN REFUELED. HE LOOKED AT THE FUEL GAUGES, AND BOTH GAUGES WERE BETWEEN 3/4 AND FULL. HE NEVER VISUALLY INSPECTED THE FUEL TANKS TO DETERMINE THE QUANTITY OF FUEL IN THE TANKS. DURING HIS APPROACH INTO BURLINGTON, THE RIGHT ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER. THE PILOT ELECTED TO EXECUTE A FORCED LANDING TO A HIGHWAY. DURING THE BASE LEG TO THE EMERGENCY LANDING SITE, THE LEFT ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TRANSMISSION LINES AND CRASHED JUST SHORT OF THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO RESIDUAL FUEL FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE, OR ON THE GROUND WHERE THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.