# NTSB LAX83LA194: Piper PA-28-140, N5985F, Oceana, CA, April 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1983, 11:14 local (19:14 UTC)
- Place: Oceana, CA
- Coordinates: 35.039131, -120.619163 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0391&lon=-120.6192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23680
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23680/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA194

## 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
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - residence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT, A MEXICAN NATIONAL, WAS ON A SOLO X-COUNTRY FLT. HE REPORTED THAT HE COULD NOT LOCATE THE DESTINATION ARPT AT SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA. AFTER CIRCLING THE AREA, HE SAW THE OCEANA ARPT & STARTED TO LAND. WHILE ON FINAL APCH, THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A RESIDENTIAL TRAILER DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT FUEL TANK & THE RIGHT TANK WAS EMPTY. FUEL WAS STILL REMAINING IN THE LEFT TANK. THE STUDENT HAD MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE RIGHT TANK ABOUT 1/2 HOUR AFTER TAKEOFF & HAD NOT CHANGED ITS POSITION AFTER THAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5985F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5985F-1983-11-04), registration cancelled 1983-11-04, S/N 28-7725072 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-77225072
- Airframe hours: 2886
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Plutt & James Brittain
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 20, 1983, 26 hours before
- Departed: EMT, EL MONTE, CA
- Destination: SBP, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA
- Airport: L52, Oceano, runway 11, 2,270 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBP, 8 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 19830415070269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830415070269A), Apr 15, 1983: Piper PA28140, Oceano, CA, Substantial damage. Student ran out of fuel on right tank on approach to airport. Struck mobile homes. Failed to select other fuel tank

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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