Piper PA-31-325 N27626

Summary

On 14 July 2002 at about 20:00 local time, a Piper PA-31-325 registered N27626, operated by Avery Eugene Cleland, was involved in an accident near Weaverville, North Carolina, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 July 2002 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Weaverville, North Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Ashville Regional (AVL)

Coordinates

35.4381, -82.5475

Aircraft

Piper PA-31-325

Registration

N27626

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Avery Eugene Cleland

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ridgeland → Greeneville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL02LA139

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight planning of fuel to complete the flight that resulted in the exhaustion of the fuel supply.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During cruise flight at 12,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) the right engine lost power. The pilot reported the loss of engine power to the Atlanta Air Traffic Control Center. The pilot was instructed by the controller to turn around and proceed to the Ashville Regional Airport. As the pilot maneuvered the left engine lost power. The pilot was directed by the controller to a highway 19 & 23. The airplane collided with trees short of the highway. Examination of the fuel system found both fuel tanks void of fuel and no visible of fuel loss at the accident site. The pilot reported departing with approximately 90 gallons of fuel on board. According to PA-31-325 specifications, the standard fuel quantity is 183 gallons, and the optional fuel capacity is 237 gallons.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.