# NTSB LAX85LA303: Piper PA-24-250, N7198P, Santa Maria, CA, July 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1985, 07:39 local (14:39 UTC)
- Place: Santa Maria, CA
- Coordinates: 34.909641, -120.229461 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9096&lon=-120.2295&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): 24762
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA303
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24762/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA303

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED TO THE TOWER, WHILE ON BASE LEG, THAT HE WAS OUT OF FUEL. HE THEN LANDED SHORT AND CONTACTED A FENCE AND A TREE ON THE LANDING ROLL. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT CONTAINED 45 GALLONS OF FUEL WHEN HE DEPARTED AND THAT HE HAD FLOWN FOR ONE HOUR 39 MINUTES WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. RECOVERY PERSONNEL CONFIRMED THAT THE AIRCRAFT'S WING TANKS CONTAINED NO FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7198P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7198P-2013-05-31), registration cancelled 2013-05-31, S/N 24-2369, built 1960 (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: 24-2369
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fred Nolan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 052, YUBA CITY, CA
- Airport: SMX, Santa Maria, runway 30, 6,300 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMX, 1 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 19850704029879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850704029879A), Jul 4, 1985: Piper PA24250, Santa Maria, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on base leg. Landed southeast of approach end of runway, struck a barbed wire fence and a tree.

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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