# NTSB LAX72AL032: Piper PA-32, N4245R, Ventura, CA, November 5, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: November 5, 1971
- Place: Ventura, CA · VENTURA, CA
- Location: 34.2678° N, 119.2542° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2678&lon=-119.2542&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 20, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 163954
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX72AL032
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72AL032

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3406   71/11/5   VENTURA,CALIF       PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1715                    N4245R              PX-  0  0  2  AIR TAXI-PASSG            AGE 34, 1248 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            37 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SALINAS,CALIF               VENTURA,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: DESCENDING
           DITCHING                                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MISCALCULATED FUEL CONSUMPTION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
        REMARKS- PLT DIDNT REFUEL AT ENROUTE STOP. RAN OUT OF FUEL AND DITCHED 100 YDS FROM SHORE. ACFT SANK.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4245R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4245R-1995-08-25), registration cancelled 1995-08-25, S/N 3240611 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N4245R (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 DEN93LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA034), Mar 21, 1993: Piper PA-32-300 (N4245R), Las Animas, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. A FACTOR WAS: WIND GUSTS.

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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