# NTSB LAX84LA016: Piper PA-28-180, N9560J, Yuma, AZ, October 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1983, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Yuma, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.680915, -114.660011 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6809&lon=-114.6600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24060
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24060/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA016

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT PRIOR TO DEPARTING LAKE HAVASU CITY HE VISUALLY INSPECTED THE FUEL TANKS & OBSERVED THAT BOTH TANKS WERE SLIGHTLY LESS THAN 1/2 FULL. BASED ON THIS OBSERVATION HE THOUGHT THE ACFT HAD 20-30 GALS OF FUEL WHICH WOULD BE SUFFICIENT FOR THE FLT. UPON REACHING BLYTHE, CA HE REALIZED HE WAS LOW ON FUEL BUT BELIEVED HE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL TO REACH YUMA. THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION 2 MI FROM DESTINATION. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON AN INTERSTATE HWY. INITIAL TOUCHDOWN WAS MADE IN A STEEP LEFT BANK BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC & THE PRESENCE OF A BRIDGE OVER-CROSSING. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SMALL RELECTOR POLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9560J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9560J), registered now, S/N 28-3691 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-3691
- Airframe hours: 3691
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Armondo A. Contla & Todd Van B
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 1983, 249 hours before
- Departed: LHU, LAKE HAVASU CTY, AZ
- Airport: YUM, Yuma Mcas, runway 17, 5,710 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 150 in this make and model, 36 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: YUM, 2 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 19831017054759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831017054759A), Oct 17, 1983: Piper PA28180, Yuma, AZ, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on long final. Landed on an interstate shoulder. A wing hit a road sign. Misjudged fuel supply.

## Other investigations on N9560J (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 LAX86LA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA341), Sep 18, 1986: Piper PA-28-180 (N9560J), Mesa, AZ, substantial damage

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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