# NTSB LAX86FA069: Piper PA-24-260, N9044P, Newport Beach, CA, December 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 19, 1985, 07:53 local (15:53 UTC)
- Place: Newport Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.620212, -117.869071 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6202&lon=-117.8691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24889
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24889/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA069

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - residence (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT CONTACTED COAST TRACON (TERMINAL RADAR CONTROL) & REQUESTED VFR TRAFFIC ADVISORIES TO TORRENCE. AT APRX 0747 PSTHE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY, SAID THE ENG HAD QUIT & REQUESTED VECTORS TO THE JOHN WAYNE/ORANGE COUNTY ARPT. THE CONTROLLERPROVIDED A HDG TO THE ARPT AS WELL AS THE CURRENT WIND & ALTIMETER SETTING. AT 0748, THE CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PLT THATTHE ARPT WAS AT HIS 11 O'CLOCK PSN AT 7 MI & THAT EITHER RWY WAS AVAILABLE FOR LANDING. ABOUT 3 MIN LATER, THE PLT SAID HE DID NOT THINK HE WAS GOING TO REACH THE ARPT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES, A HOUSE & A FENCE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. INITIAL IMPACT WAS WITH TREES AT APRX 35 FT AGL WHILE IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. AN EXAM REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE RGT MAIN TANK WHICH HAD LESS THAN 1 GAL OF FUEL REMAINING. ADEQUATE FUEL WAS STILL REMAINING IN THE LEFT FUEL TANKS. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE ENG OPERATED SATISFACTORILY DURING A POST ACCIDENT CHECK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9044P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9044P-2017-03-10), registration cancelled 2017-03-10, S/N 24-4508, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4508
- Airframe hours: 2983
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Professional Tax Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1986, 52 hours before
- Departed: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Destination: TOA, TORRENCE, CA
- Airport: SNA, John Wayne/Orange County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 148 total, 61 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNA, 3 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 19851219062869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851219062869A), Dec 19, 1985: Piper PA24260, Newport Beach, CA, Destroyed. Hit a tree. Then a house during landing after the engine quit. Ran right main fuel tank dry, did not switch tanks.

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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