# NTSB LAX85LA203: Piper PA-28-140B, N8188N, Moorpark, CA, April 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1985, 18:51 local (Apr 15, 1985, 02:51 UTC)
- Place: Moorpark, CA
- Coordinates: 34.310253, -118.869827 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3103&lon=-118.8698&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): 24693
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24693/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA203

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training(emergency procedure(s)), pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT BECAME DISORIENTED WHILE ON A SOLO X-COUNTRY FLT DURING WICH HE WAS ON TOP OF AN OVERCAST. FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED WHILE HE WAS BEING RADAR VECTORED TO AN ARPT. A FORCED LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED ON A FREEWAY OFFRAMP AND THE ACFT'S WING STRUCK A GUARD RAIL CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8188N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8188N-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 28-25385, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140B
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25385
- Airframe hours: 2398
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank De Stefano
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 1985, 5 hours before
- Departed: APV, APPLE VALLEY, CA
- Destination: WNP, PACOIMA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 103 total, 61 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OXR, 17 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 19850414014229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850414014229A), Apr 14, 1985: Piper PA28140, Moorpark, CA, Substantial damage. Low on fuel, disoriented solo student was being vectored to VFR airport when engine quit. Hit guard rail on freeway

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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