# NTSB DEN90LA169: Piper PA-24-250, N5470P, Bingham, NM, August 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1990, 08:42 local (14:42 UTC)
- Place: Bingham, NM
- Location: 33.8890° N, 106.3725° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bingham, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8890&lon=-106.3725&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17978
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17978/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA169

## Probable cause

THE FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN IN WHICH THE FORCED LANDING WAS PERFORMED.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT REPORTED THE ENGINE QUIT AT CRUISE WHILE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD COVERED WITH MADRONA CEDAR BRUSH. THE WINGS STRUCK THE BRUSH, TORE HALF THE LEFT WING OFF, BENT THE RIGHT WING BACK AND BENT THE FUSELAGE BEHIND THE CABIN. THE PILOT SAID HE FLEW 3 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES, AND SHOULD HAVE HAD FUEL LEFT. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT'S TANKS, AND NO FUEL SPILL. THE INVESTIGATION COULD NOT VERIFY THE TAKEOFF TIME, AMOUNT OF FUEL ON BOARD, OR THE EXACT TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5470P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5470P-2013-04-18), registration cancelled 2013-04-18, S/N 24-527, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PA-24-527
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: A&E Services Inc
- Departed: L15, HENDERSON, NV
- Destination: ATS, ARTESIA, NM
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 352 total, 14 in this make and model, 294 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900811033409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900811033409A), Aug 11, 1990: Piper PA24250, Bingham, NM, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Emergency landed in madrona brush tearing a wing in half.

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.

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