On January 2, 1999, a Piper PA-34-200 (registration N5016T) was involved in an aviation accident near Hogansville, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fuel exhaustion due to inadequate planning and the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane. Factors were the weather conditions and hilly terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A Piper PA-34 (N5016T) experienced fuel exhaustion after flying 5.72 hours, exceeding its maximum endurance of 5.08 hours, leading to an emergency landing on a power line right-of-way.
Flight Information
The aircraft involved was a Piper PA-34, registration N5016T. According to the Piper Aircraft PA-34 Information Manual, the aircraft has a usable fuel capacity of 93 U.S. gallons and seven gallons of unusable fuel. The pilot reported departing with 100 gallons of fuel on board. At a gross weight of 4000 pounds and 65% power, fuel consumption is 18.3 gallons per hour for both engines, providing a maximum flight duration of 5.08 hours. The accident occurred after 5.72 hours of flight.
Sequence of Events
Approximately 30 miles from the destination airport, approach control informed the pilot of lowered cloud ceilings and thunderstorm activity over the airport. Around the same time, the pilot reported a low fuel condition and was vectored towards a second airport. A missed approach was performed at the second airport, and the pilot was given vectors towards a third airport. While descending for the third airport, the pilot reported that the left engine ran out of fuel and had quit. The pilot attempted an emergency landing on a power line right-of-way.