This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; W. Columbia, South Carolina
Piper; Vero Beach, Florida
Lycoming; Atlanta, Georgia
https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca
Location: Sumter, SC
Accident Number: ERA20LA270
Date & Time: 08/01/2020, 1000 EDT
Registration: C-GXKS
Aircraft: Piper PA31
Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Aerial Observation
On August 1, 2020, about 1000 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-31-325, Canadian registration C-GXKS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Sumter, South Carolina. The pilot and co-pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight.
According to the pilot-in-command (PIC), he and the co-pilot had been flying mapping flights for the United States Geological Survey group. The PIC stated they had scanners weighing about 800 lbs on board and they would fly about 300 ft. above ground level in a grid pattern while mapping. He further stated that he personally fueled the inboard and outboard fuel tanks the day before the accident flight. On the morning of the accident flight, the PIC was seated in the right seat and the co-pilot was seated in the left seat. They departed Santee Cooper Regional Airport (MNI), Manning, South Carolina about 0630 and planned on returning to the same airport. After 2 hours of flight time, they switched from the inboard fuel tanks to the outboard fuel tanks. After another 1.5 hours of flight time, while the co-pilot was flying, the left engine started "surging" and rapidly began to lose power. The airplane immediately began to lose altitude and shortly after they had descended below the tree level. The PIC took control of the airplane and turned to a field just ahead of them. The airplane stalled just above the ground and the right wing contacted the ground first. The PIC stated both side windows shattered during impact and within 2 seconds the right outboard fuel tank exploded and a postimpact fire ensued. Both pilots egressed through the rear door.
The co-pilot stated he was training in the airplane and did not have a multiengine rating. He stated he did not have any official hours flying the airplane with an instructor but has flown the airplane for about 200 hours. His description of the accident flight was consistent with that provided by the PIC. He further stated that when he turned over control of the airplane to the PIC during the last few seconds of flight, he looked at the inboard fuel tank quantity gauges and they were both reading "zero."
Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane impacted the ground with the right wing first and slid sideways through the field. Both engines were fractured off and neither engine showed signs of power at the time of impact. The fuselage and right wing were consumed by fire. The left wing was still attached to the fuselage and not damaged. The left outboard fuel tank was completely full of fuel, and the inboard tank was empty.
The airplane has been retained for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: C-GXKS
Model/Series: PA31 325
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Terraquest Ltd.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSSC, 241 ft msl
Observation Time: 1356 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 23°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 220°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.98 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Manning, SC (MNI)
Destination: Manning, SC (MNI)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: On-Ground
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 33.959167, -80.332222
Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, Sumter Fire Department and Sumter County EMS responded to a plane crash near North Main Street at about 10 a.m. this morning.
The two occupants sustained non-fatal injuries and were transported to an area hospital for treatment.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash.
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; W. Columbia, South Carolina
Piper; Vero Beach, Florida
Lycoming; Atlanta, Georgia
https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca
Location: Sumter, SC
Accident Number: ERA20LA270
Date & Time: 08/01/2020, 1000 EDT
Registration: C-GXKS
Aircraft: Piper PA31
Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Aerial Observation
On August 1, 2020, about 1000 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-31-325, Canadian registration C-GXKS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Sumter, South Carolina. The pilot and co-pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight.
According to the pilot-in-command (PIC), he and the co-pilot had been flying mapping flights for the United States Geological Survey group. The PIC stated they had scanners weighing about 800 lbs on board and they would fly about 300 ft. above ground level in a grid pattern while mapping. He further stated that he personally fueled the inboard and outboard fuel tanks the day before the accident flight. On the morning of the accident flight, the PIC was seated in the right seat and the co-pilot was seated in the left seat. They departed Santee Cooper Regional Airport (MNI), Manning, South Carolina about 0630 and planned on returning to the same airport. After 2 hours of flight time, they switched from the inboard fuel tanks to the outboard fuel tanks. After another 1.5 hours of flight time, while the co-pilot was flying, the left engine started "surging" and rapidly began to lose power. The airplane immediately began to lose altitude and shortly after they had descended below the tree level. The PIC took control of the airplane and turned to a field just ahead of them. The airplane stalled just above the ground and the right wing contacted the ground first. The PIC stated both side windows shattered during impact and within 2 seconds the right outboard fuel tank exploded and a postimpact fire ensued. Both pilots egressed through the rear door.
The co-pilot stated he was training in the airplane and did not have a multiengine rating. He stated he did not have any official hours flying the airplane with an instructor but has flown the airplane for about 200 hours. His description of the accident flight was consistent with that provided by the PIC. He further stated that when he turned over control of the airplane to the PIC during the last few seconds of flight, he looked at the inboard fuel tank quantity gauges and they were both reading "zero."
Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane impacted the ground with the right wing first and slid sideways through the field. Both engines were fractured off and neither engine showed signs of power at the time of impact. The fuselage and right wing were consumed by fire. The left wing was still attached to the fuselage and not damaged. The left outboard fuel tank was completely full of fuel, and the inboard tank was empty.
The airplane has been retained for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: C-GXKS
Model/Series: PA31 325
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Terraquest Ltd.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSSC, 241 ft msl
Observation Time: 1356 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 23°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 220°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.98 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Manning, SC (MNI)
Destination: Manning, SC (MNI)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: On-Ground
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 33.959167, -80.332222
Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, Sumter Fire Department and Sumter County EMS responded to a plane crash near North Main Street at about 10 a.m. this morning.
The two occupants sustained non-fatal injuries and were transported to an area hospital for treatment.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash.
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