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Fuel Exhaustion and Terrain Collision During Cross-Country Flight (N13UW)

Enumclaw, United States of AmericaFlight

On November 29, 1990, a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo (registration N13UW) operated by Steven T. Bramwell was involved in an aviation accident near Enumclaw, United States of America in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fuel exhaustion due to inadequate preflight planning and preparations, and poor inflight planning and decisions. The pilot elected to fly into known adverse weather conditions, and did not calculate fuel consumption for the planned flight. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archiveUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot failed to plan for adverse weather, overflew fuel stops, and continued until fuel exhausted. Both engines lost power, leading to a collision with heavily wooded terrain.

Accident Sequence

During a cross-country flight, the aircraft experienced fuel exhaustion after the pilot overflew multiple possible fuel stops. The loss of power to both engines resulted in a collision with heavily wooded terrain.

Preflight Planning

The pilot did not adequately plan for the effects of known adverse weather, including strong winds aloft and mountain wave activity. Fuel consumption calculations for the planned flight were not performed.

Inflight Decisions

Despite the adverse weather conditions, the pilot elected to continue toward the destination without making intermediate fuel stops. The decision to overfly available refueling opportunities contributed to the fuel exhaustion.

Fuel Exhaustion

The fuel supply was completely depleted, causing both engines to lose power. The aircraft was unable to reach an alternate landing site and collided with terrain.

Probable cause

Fuel exhaustion due to inadequate preflight planning and preparations, and poor inflight planning and decisions. The pilot elected to fly into known adverse weather conditions, and did not calculate fuel consumption for the planned flight.
Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Related events

Same aircraft family

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 29 Nov 1990 Piper PA-31-310 Navajo accident near Enumclaw, United States of America?

A pilot failed to plan for adverse weather, overflew fuel stops, and continued until fuel exhausted. Both engines lost power, leading to a collision with heavily wooded terrain.

Were there any fatalities in the 29 Nov 1990 Piper PA-31-310 Navajo accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 29 Nov 1990 involved a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo, registration N13UW, operated by Steven T. Bramwell, at Enumclaw, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Fuel exhaustion due to inadequate preflight planning and preparations, and poor inflight planning and decisions. The pilot elected to fly into known adverse weather conditions, and did not calculate fuel consumption for the planned flight.

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