# NTSB LAX85LA007: Piper PA-24-250, N6481P, Essex, CA, October 7, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1984, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Essex, CA
- Coordinates: 34.960037, -115.310928 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9600&lon=-115.3109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24570
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24570/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA007

## 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 (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE VISUALLY CHECKED THE QUANTITY OF FUEL IN THE ACFT'S FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE & THAT HE APPARENTLY OVERESTIMATED THE AMOUNT IN THE TANKS. FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE OPENED THE FUEL CAPS TO BOTH TANKS & THEY 'WERE DRY AS A BONE.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6481P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6481P-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 24-1599, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1599
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank F. Jeffers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: VIS, VISALIA, CA
- Destination: P06, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,070 total, 796 in this make and model, 990 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F

## 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 19841007057879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841007057879A), Oct 7, 1984: Piper PA24250, Essex, CA, Substantial damage. Power loss due to fuel exhaustion. Landed in desert. Pilot overestimated fuel quantity during visual inspection.

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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