Piper AEROSTAR 602P — Kokomo, IN, 2019

Piper AEROSTAR 602P — Kokomo, IN

1 fatal High-time pilot

Date	October 5, 2019
Location	Kokomo, IN
Aircraft	Piper AEROSTAR 602P
Purpose of flight	Business
Conditions	Day · Visual Meteorological Cond
Phase / occurrence	Prior to flight Fuel contamination
Pilot age	59
Pilot total time	7,500 hrs · High time
Time in type	Unknown
Fatalities	1

Probable cause

The pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack following a dual engine power loss caused by the line service technician fueling the airplane with the wrong fuel, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control. Contributing was the pilot's inadequate supervision of the fuel servicing.

NTSB findings

Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Ground crew
Aircraft-Fluids/misc hardware-Fluids-Fuel-Incorrect use/operation
Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Lack of action-Pilot
Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Angle of attack-Capability exceeded

What happened

The airline transport pilot arrived at the departure airport in the reciprocating engine-powered airplane where it was fueled with Jet A jet fuel by an airport employee/line service technician. A witness stated that she saw a "low flying" airplane flying from north to south. The airplane made a "sharp left turn" to the east. The left wing "dipped low" and she then lost sight of the airplane, but when she approached the intersection near the accident site, she saw the airplane on the ground. The airplane impacted a field that had dry, level, and hard features conducive for an off-airport landing, and the airplane was destroyed.

The wreckage path length and impact damage to the airplane were consistent with an accelerated stall.

Postaccident examination of the airplane found Jet A jet fuel in the airplane fuel system and evidence of detonation in both engines from the use of Jet A and not the required 100 low lead fuel. Use of Jet A rather than 100 low lead fuel in an engine would result in detonation in the cylinders and lead to damage and a catastrophic engine failure. According to the Airplane Flying Handbook, the pilot should witness refueling to ensure that the correct fuel and quantity is dispensed into the airplane and that any caps and cowls are properly secured after refueling.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.