# Accident 20071109828049A: Piper PA60602P, Mcfarland, CA, November 9, 2007

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 9, 2007, 12:00 local time
- Place: Mcfarland, CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.6269° N, 119.1358° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6269&lon=-119.1358&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6895Z, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6895Z-2012-12-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper AEROSTAR 602P (registry code 7106014, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-602p) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-540 series (registry code 41530, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA60602P
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 3
- Pilot flight hours: 1,300 total, 20 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX08FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA028) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071109828049A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED ROSEBURG, OR ENROUTE TO CARLSBAD, CA ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, THE PILOT HAD THE AIRPLANE TOPPED OFF WITH FUEL WHILE IT WAS PARKED ON A RAMP WITH A PRONOUNCED ANGLE (THE LEFT WING WAS APPROX 14" LOWER THAN THE RIGHT AND THIS MIGHT HAVE PREVENTED FILLING THE LEFT AND FUSELAGE TANKS). ENROUTE AT FL210, THE PILOT CHANGED DESTINATION TO BAKERSFIELD, CA FOR A FUEL STOP. AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED BAKERSFIELD, THE PILOT ADVISED BFL APPROACH THAT HE HAD A FUEL PROBLEM. A SHORT TIME LATER HE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND STATED HIS ENGINE WAS "SPUTTERING." THERE WERE NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WITH ATC AND THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO DISAPPEAR FROM RADAR. A WITNESS WORKING AS A FOREMAN AT AN AGRICULTURAL FACILITY OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT FLYING ON A SOUTHEASTERLY HEADING AT AN ALTITUDE OF A FEW HUNDRED FEET WITH ITS WINGS ROCKING FOLLOWED BY IT ENTERING A STEEP RIGHT BANK AND DESCENDING AT A STEEP ALTITUDE INTO AN ORANGE GROVE. THE LOCATION OF THE ACCIDENT WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES NW OF POSO FAMOSO AIRPORT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE INDICATED THAT NEITHER ENGINE WAS MAKING POWER AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN THE 3 TANKS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX08FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA028), Nov 9, 2007: Piper PA-60-602P (N6895Z), McFarland, CA, destroyed, 3 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight preparation and improper fueling procedures that led to fuel exhaustion.

## Other reports on N6895Z (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19870130027039I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870130027039I), Jan 30, 1987: Piper PA60602P (N6895Z), Philadelphia, PA, Minor damage. The left main gear collapsed on landing roll. The retract cylinder rod end was found to be broken.
- [Incident 19850418058729I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850418058729I), Apr 18, 1985: Piper PA60602P (N6895Z), Baltimore, MD, Minor damage. Aircraft veered on landing when right main gear scissor broke. Departed side of runway into a ditch.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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