# NTSB LAX83LA309: Smith-Poston BI-PLANE, N1860, Banning, CA, June 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1983, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Banning, CA
- Coordinates: 33.950454, -116.830116 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9505&lon=-116.8301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23769
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA309
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23769/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA309

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel dumped - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PLT SAID HE RAN OUT OF GAS. HE SAID THE FUEL GAUGES WERE INOPERATIVE BUT HE WAS TOLD THE ACFT WOULD OPERATE 2 AND 1/2 HOURS ON A TANK OF FUEL. THE ACFT ENGINE STOPPED AFTER 1 HOUR AND 50 MINUTES OF OPERATION ACCORDING TO THE PLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1860](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1860-2012-08-01), registration cancelled 2012-08-01, S/N RP-003, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SMITH-POSTON BI-PLANE
- Registry model: [Smith-Poston BY-PLANE](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-poston-by-plane) (registry code 8350160) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: RP003
- Airframe hours: 412
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A3B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harve W. Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 1983, 3 hours before
- Departed: L45, BAKERSFIELD, CA
- Destination: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,387 total, 3 in this make and model, 1,214 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 17 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830625026689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830625026689A), Jun 25, 1983: Amtr BYPLANE, Banning, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Struck a ditch landing in desert. Fuel gauge was known to be inoperative prior takeoff.

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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