Piper PA-32R-300 N2027M

Summary

On 20 March 2011 at about 00:45 local time, a Piper PA-32R-300 registered N2027M, operated by Dupon Jean, was involved in an accident near Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

20 March 2011 at 00:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, United States

Nearest airport

Martha's Vineyard Airport (MVY)

Coordinates

41.4264, -70.5542

Aircraft

Piper PA-32R-300

Registration

N2027M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Dupon Jean

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hyannis → Vineyard Haven

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

ERA11LA198

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after flying for approximately 25 minutes, the engine lost power. He performed a forced landing on a nearby beach. During the landing, the airplane struck a piling and came to rest in knee-deep water. The wings and empennage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that he departed with the fuel gauges reading half full. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel tank selector valve was on the right tank position. The right wing fuel tank was compromised by impact forces. After recovery of the airplane from the beach, 20 gallons of seawater were drained from the right wing; there was no fuel present. The wreckage was moved to a nearby hangar where a more detailed examination of the airplane was performed. The examination revealed a lack of fuel throughout the fuel system.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.