# NTSB LAX03LA040: Piper PA-34-220T, N224BD, Elko, NV, November 27, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 27, 2002, 10:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: Elko, NV - Coordinates: 40.830554, -115.796386 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8306&lon=-115.7964&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56136 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56136/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision resulting in fuel exhaustion. ## 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 - final approach - all engines - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The airplane lost power in both engines and impacted terrain short of the runway. While on final approach to runway 05, both of the airplane's engines simultaneously experienced a total loss of power. Despite the pilot's attempts, both engines failed to restart and he configured the airplane for a forced landing. Upon touch down, the airplane impacted desert terrain and bushes. During a post accident examination, an FAA inspector found no evidence of fuel in the airplane's four fuel tanks. He further stated that all tanks and fuel lines remained intact. The airplane's operator reported no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On November 27, 2002, about 1040 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-34-220T, N224BD, impacted terrain short of the runway, following a loss of engine power while on approach to the Elko Regional Airport, Elko, Nevada. Reno Flying Service, Inc., operated the on-demand air taxi flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 135 as a non-scheduled domestic cargo flight. The commercial pilot and one pilot passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan had been filed. The flight originated at Reno, about 0930 with a planned destination of Elko. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane and interviewed the pilot after the accident occurred. The pilot stated that while on final approach to runway 05, both of the airplane's engines simultaneously experienced a total loss of power. Despite the pilot's attempts, both engines failed to restart and he configured the airplane for a forced landing. Upon touch down, the airplane impacted dessert terrain and bushes. The airplane came to rest less than a half of a mile from the runway. During the post accident examination, the FAA inspector found no evidence of fuel in the airplane's four fuel tanks. He further stated that all tanks remained intact during the accident sequence. In a written statement, the operator reported no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The airplane incurred damage to both wings, engines, and propellers. ## Aircraft - Registration: N224BD (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-34-220T - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-8133186 - Airframe hours: 7980 - Engines: Continental TSIO-360-KB 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Reno Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2002, 33 hours before - Departed: RNO, Reno, NV - Destination: EKO, Elko, NV - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: EKO, Elko Muni-J.C. Harris Field, runway 5, 7,221 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,750 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: EKO, 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 20021127032899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021127032899A), Nov 27, 2002: Piper PA34220T, Elko, NV, Substantial damage. (.19) On November 27, 2002, at 1040 pacific standard time, a Piper PA-34-220T, N224BD, collided with ground obstacles short of the runway following a loss of… 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.