# NTSB LAX00LA085: Siai-Marchetti SF260, N65FD, Napa, CA, January 30, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 30, 2000, 14:36 local (22:36 UTC) - Place: Napa, CA - Coordinates: 38.250339, -122.310462 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2503&lon=-122.3105&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48580 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48580/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA085 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate en route fuel consumption calculations. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The pilot planned a nonstop flight from Phoenix, Arizona, to Napa, California. Approaching Napa, he realized that his airplane was low on fuel, but he did not so advise control tower personnel. The pilot entered the traffic pattern and while on base leg experienced fuel exhaustion. Unable to glide to the airport, the airplane came to rest in a rough field about 300 yards short of the runway. ## Factual narrative On January 30, 2000, about 1436 hours Pacific standard time, a Siai-Marchetti SF260, N65FD, operated by the owner-pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power during a business flight approaching the Napa Airport, Napa, California. The pilot made a forced landing in a rough field about 300 yards short of runway 18R. During rollout the airplane encountered soft terrain and was substantially damaged. Neither the commercial pilot nor the passenger was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. An instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed, and was cancelled prior to the accident. The flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that the flight originated from Phoenix, Arizona, about 0920 mountain standard time. The pilot indicated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that while en route he monitored the rate of fuel usage for the planned nonstop flight to Napa. He stated that approaching Napa he was aware the airplane was low on fuel. He did not advise the Napa air traffic control personnel of his fuel status. All engine power was suddenly lost while on the base leg of the traffic pattern, about 500 feet above ground level. The pilot additionally indicated that he switched fuel tanks and the engine ran for a couple of seconds before stopping again. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65FD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65FD-2000-06-20), registration cancelled 2000-06-20, S/N 723 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Siai-Marchetti SF260 - Registry model: [Siai-Marchetti SF260](https://openairdocs.org/model/siai-marchetti-sf260) (registry code 8121208) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 723 - Airframe hours: 2025 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-E4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Greg E. Holbrook - Registered owner: Mach 1 Motorsports, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1999, 50 hours before - Departed: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ - Destination: APC, CA - Airport: APC, Napa, runway 18R, 5,931 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 698 total, 37 in this make and model, 596 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 17 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 135 °F, dew point 115 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: APC, 1 nm away ## 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 20000130011979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000130011979A), Jan 30, 2000: Mrchti SF260, Napa, CA, No damage. (-23) On jan. 30, 2000, about 1436 hours PST, siai-marchetti sf 260, N65FD, operated by the owner-pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power while on a… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.