Casualties unknown

1999-09-30: Piper PA-31 (CGHOL) — Greenfield, IN

Greenfield, IN, US

On September 30, 1999, a Piper PA-31 (registration CGHOL) was involved in an aviation accident near Greenfield, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the FBO employee improperly refueled the airplane with Jet A fuel instead of 100LL and the inadequate preflight by the pilot-in-command in that he failed to drain the fuel tanks during the preflight. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane experienced a loss of power on both engines during initial takeoff climb, resulting in a forced landing in a plowed corn field and substantial damage. Post-accident inspection revealed the aircraft was mistakenly refueled with 101.5 gallons of Jet A fuel instead of 100LL.

Accident Overview

During the initial climb after takeoff, both engines lost power. The flight crew executed a forced landing in a plowed corn field, which resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft.

Fuel Mismatch Discovery

A post-accident inspection revealed that the airplane had been refueled with 101.5 gallons of Jet A fuel instead of the required 100LL fuel. Jet A is a kerosene-based fuel used in turbine engines, while 100LL is an aviation gasoline for piston engines.

Refueling Process

The FBO employee who performed the refueling reported using a rubberized adapter to fit the fuel nozzle into the aircraft's fuel inlet. He stated that the captain did not specify what type of fuel should be added, only the quantity. The first officer signed for payment of the fuel but did not notice the type of fuel added, which was indicated on the Master Receipt and the invoice.

Preflight Actions

The captain did not drain the fuel tanks during the aircraft preflight inspection and did not detect the smell of Jet A when visually inspecting the fuel quantity in the main fuel tanks prior to takeoff.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X19724. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.