# Accident 20100805040389A: Piper PA-24-260, Ridgecrest, CA, August 5, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 5, 2010, 14:25 local time
- Place: Ridgecrest, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.2447° N, 117.3661° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2447&lon=-117.3661&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9365P, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9365P-2013-11-08) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-24-260 (registry code 7102406, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming TI0-540 series (registry code 41533, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Reported engine: LYCOMING TI0-540 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,400 total, 6 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR10FA385](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA385) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100805040389A

## Narrative

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

AIRCRAFT ENGINE QUITS AT FL9500. WHILE FLYING TO NEEDLES, CA, THE PILOT STATED HE SWITCHED TO THE RT MAIN TANK FOR FUEL AND THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT LANDED GEAR UP IN A REMOTE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT TRACT (N351430, W1172133, BETWEEN THE TOWN OF RIDGECREST AND THE SOUTHERN BOUNDARY OF THE RESTRICTED AREA OF CHINA LAKE NAVAL WEAPONS STATION. DURING THE NO FIRE LANDING, THE PILOT BUMPED HEAD ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE LEFT THE COCKPIT AND WALKED AWAY TOWARDS THE DISTANCE MOUNTAINS. HE WAS SEEN AND PICKED UP BY THE US NAVY SEARCH AND RESCUE HELICOPTER FROM CHINA LAKE NAS.

## 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 WPR10FA385](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA385), Aug 5, 2010: Piper PA-24-260C (N9365P), Ridgecrest, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, as a result of the pilot's improper fuel management during cruise flight.

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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