ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 249013
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Monday 22 March 2021 |
| Time: | 12:30 |
| Type: |  Piper PA-30-160 Twin Comanche B |
| Owner/operator: | J Bird Flight Training LLC |
| Registration: | N7588Y |
| MSN: | 30-655 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1964 |
| Engine model: | Lycoming IO-320-B1A |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Porter County Regional Airport (VPZ/KVPZ), IN -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Valparaiso-Porter County Airport, IN (VPZ/KVPZ) |
| Valparaiso-Porter County Airport, IN (VPZ/KVPZ) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot was practicing instrument approaches in the multiengine airplane with a safety pilot. While in cruise flight with fuel to both engines selected from the respective auxiliary fuel tanks, the left engine lost power. During diversion to a nearby airport, the right engine lost power and the pilots conducted a forced landing to a farm field.
Both pilots thought that the auxiliary fuel tank gauges indicated that the fuel remaining was adequate and did not attempt to select fuel from either inboard fuel tank after each engine lost power. Examination revealed that both auxiliary fuel tanks were empty, while both inboard fuel tanks were nearly full. Fuel gauge testing revealed normal operation, and no fuel contamination, leaks, or anomalies of the fuel system were observed. Based on the available information, the circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilots’ mismanagement of the available fuel, which resulted in a total loss of power to both engines due to fuel starvation.
Probable Cause: The pilots’ fuel mismanagement, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power to both engines.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://abc7chicago.com/plane-crash-laporte-county-la-porte-porter-regional-airport/10441644/
https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/plane-makes-emergency-landing-on-field-in-laporte-county-police-say/article_b7f6c9cf-e3fd-5f31-8991-eefe89699da6.html
https://www.aircraft.com/aircraft/193597679/n7588y-1965-piper-twin-comanche-cr (photos)
https://www.facebook.com/regionnewssource/posts/926473521450682 (photos)
Location
Images:
Photo: NTSB
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 22-Mar-2021 22:36 | Captain Adam | Added |
| 23-Mar-2021 04:45 | Geno | Updated [Time, Total occupants, Departure airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 23-Mar-2021 06:57 | Anon. | Updated [Source] |
| 18-Aug-2022 13:45 | Captain Adam | Updated [Time, Total occupants, Phase, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Damage, Narrative, Category, Accident report, Photo] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation