Event NYC03LA051

Factual narrative

On February 16, 2003, at 1520 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-31-350, N130CM, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after a total loss of power to both engines near Taylor Mill, Kentucky. The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed the cargo flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 135. According to the pilot, the flight originated at the Manhattan Regional Airport, Manhattan, Kansas, and was destined for the Cincinnati Municipal Airport (LUK), Cincinnati, Ohio, with a stop in Concordia, Kansas. Prior to departing from Manhattan, the pilot planned the estimated the 726 statute mile flight would take approximately 3 hours and 46 minutes. The available fuel for the flight was 182 gallons, which equaled an approximate 4 hour and 55 minutes endurance, assuming a 40 gallon per hour fuel burn. The flight proceeded uneventfully to Manhattan, where the pilot picked up his cargo, and departed for Cincinnati. The airplane was not fueled during the stop at Manhattan. As the flight neared Cincinnati, the pilot began to get nervous because the main tanks were "going fast." He switched to the auxiliary fuel tanks, to "get all of the fuel out of them," and switched back to the main tanks while over Covington, Kentucky. While executing the Runway 3R Back Course Localizer approach at LUK, the pilot advised the approach controller that he had lost power to the right engine, and then shortly thereafter, reported losing power to the left engine. The pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a railroad yard. After touching down, the left wing struck a four-foot high dirt mound, and separated from the main fuselage. The airplane came to rest upright on a railroad track. The pilot additionally stated that the loss of power to both engines was due to fuel exhaustion, and poor fuel planning. The pilot reported 3,050 hours of total flight experience, with 240 hours in make and model. According to the pilot, he planned the estimated the 726 statute mile flight would take approximately 3 hours and 46 minutes, with one stop to pick up cargo. The available fuel for the flight was 182 gallons, which equaled an approximate 4 hour and 55 minutes endurance, assuming a 40 gallon per hour fuel burn. The flight proceeded uneventfully to the first stop; the airplane was not fueled, and it departed. As the flight neared the destination airport, the pilot began to get nervous because the main tanks were "going fast." He switched to the auxiliary fuel tanks, to "get all of the fuel out of them," and switched back to the main tanks. While executing an approach to the airport, the pilot advised the approach controller that he had lost power to the right engine, and then shortly thereafter, reported losing power to the left engine. The pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a railroad yard. After touching down, the left wing struck a four-foot high dirt mound, and separated from the main fuselage. The airplane came to rest upright on a railroad track. The pilot additionally stated that the loss of power to both engines was due to fuel exhaustion, and poor fuel planning. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12