VACHERIE, LA, USA
N1063U
PIPER PA-34-200
THE AIRCRAFT LOST ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION IN BOTH ENGINES 25 MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE NEW ORLEANS VORTAC (MSY). THE PILOT ALIGNED THE AIRPLANE WITH A ROAD. WHEN HE DETERMINED HE WAS LANDING DOWN WIND AND THE ROAD WAS COMING TO AN END, HE TURNED TOWARDS AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE AND CAME TO REST IN A CANAL. THE PILOT HAD MADE MULTIPLE STOPS ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT HE REFUELED AT ANY OF THE STOPS.
On January 7, 1994, at 1330 central standard time, a PA-34-200, N1063U, was substantially damaged near Vacherie, Louisiana during a forced landing. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 135 air taxi flight. According to FAA records the pilot's route of flight was from New Orleans Lakefront Airport (NEW), New Orleans Moisant Field Airport (MSY), Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT), Lake Charles Regional Airport (LCH), Lafayette Regional Airport, and returning to New Orleans Moisant Field Airport. ATC lost radar contact 25 miles southwest of the New Orleans VORTAC (MSY). Evidence indicated the pilot did not refuel at any of the stops. It was determined from information provided by the FAA, that the aircraft departed LFT for MSY with approximately 15.26 gallons of fuel on board. The manufacturer's specifications established that the aircraft has approximately 5 gallons of unusable fuel. Performance data provided by the manufacturer concluded the following for the given atmospheric conditions: The aircraft would consume fuel at the rate of 18.14 gallons per hour. For this 45 minute flight the aircraft would have consumed 13.6 gallons of fuel. Usable fuel for the flight was 10.26 gallons. The pilot reported, that the left engine surged followed by a loss of power. He selected the left cross-feed, and the engine returned to normal operation. He then notified approach control of his fuel status. He further reported that ten minutes later both engines lost power and he declared an emergency. He then aligned the airplane with a road. When he determined he was landing down wind and the road was coming to an end, he turned towards an open field. He also reported that during the landing roll the airplane struck a telephone pole, turned 180 degrees, and came to rest in a canal.
WAS FUEL EXHAUSTION ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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