# NTSB LAX84LA270: Piper PA-28, N81784, Fair Oaks, CA, April 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1984, 19:15 local (Apr 28, 1984, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Fair Oaks, CA
- Coordinates: 38.650436, -121.249244 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6504&lon=-121.2492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24243
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA270
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24243/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA270

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - reduced
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE DEPARTING ON A X-COUNTRY FLT, THE PLT WAS WARNED TO REFUEL MIDWAY ON HIS ROUTE. HE RECALCULATED HIS FUEL WHILE EN ROUTE & THOUGHT SUFFICIENT FUEL WAS REMAINING. DURING ARRIVAL, THE PLT ACTIVATED THE RWY LIGHTS, BUT DID NOT SEE THEM UNTIL HE WAS NEARLY OVER THE ARPT AT 1500 FT. HE TRIED TO DESCEND & LAND, BUT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE RWY. HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLE TO MANEUVER & LAND; HOWEVER, THE ENG, WHICH HAD START TO LOSE POWER, QUIT COMPLETELY. THE PLT THEN STARTED TO LAND ON A STREET, BUT THERE WAS TRAFFIC, SO HE LANDED BETWEEN THE STREET & THE HOUSE. AN AUTO WAS STRUCK AS THE ACFT CAME TO A STOP. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE ENG HAD LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81784](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81784-2013-09-17), registration cancelled 2013-09-17, S/N 28-8090189, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8090189
- Airframe hours: 1069
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Enzinger, Charles K.
- Registered owner: Enzinger, Charles K.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 1984, 52 hours before
- Departed: SEE, EL CAJON, CA
- Destination: OLL, FAIR OAKS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 461 total, 21 in this make and model, 357 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: variable at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 30 °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 19840427016629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840427016629A), Apr 27, 1984: Piper PA28181, Fair Oaks, CA, Destroyed. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit from fuel exhaustion while searching for airport.

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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