1989-09-28: Piper PA-32R-301T — Air Orlando — Kissimmee, FL

Casualties unknown • Kissimmee, FL, US

Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FALSE FUEL GAGE INDICATIONS AND TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PLT DID NOT RECHECK THE ACFT'S FUEL AT AN INTERMEDIATE STOP. AFTER HE DEPARTED & WAS IN CRUISE FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT RPRTD THAT THE FUEL GAGES INDCD THE TANKS WERE NEARLY HALF FULL AT THAT TIME. DURING A SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & WAS DAMAGED. A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE ACFT FUEL SYS REVEALED ABOUT 20 OUNCES FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK. THE LEFT TANK WAS SPLIT OPEN, BUT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL RESIDUE ON THE GROUND BELOW THE TANK. DURING AN OPNL CHECK OF THE ENG, IT STARTED & RAN NORMALLY

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-09-28 Piper PA-32R-301T accident near Kissimmee, FL?

THE PLT DID NOT RECHECK THE ACFT'S FUEL AT AN INTERMEDIATE STOP. AFTER HE DEPARTED & WAS IN CRUISE FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT RPRTD THAT THE FUEL GAGES INDCD THE TANKS WERE NEARLY HALF FULL AT THAT TIME. DURING A SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & WAS DAMAGED. A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-09-28 involved a Piper PA-32R-301T, registration N8107T, operated by Air Orlando, at Kissimmee, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FALSE FUEL GAGE INDICATIONS AND TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X29453. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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