# NTSB LAX86FA167: Piper PA-23-250, N555KS, Mesa, AZ, April 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1986, 02:28 local (09:28 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.430412, -111.709106 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4304&lon=-111.7091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 5 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 11, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24907
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24907/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA167

## 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 - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
  - light condition - night
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE ON THE FOURTH LEG OF AN IFR BUSINESS FLIGHT FROM STOW, OHIO TO SANTA PAULA, CALIFORNIA, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED FUEL EXHAUSTION AND CRASHED ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES NORTHEAST OF FALCON FIELD (FFZ), MESA, ARIZONA. THE FLIGHT WAS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE AUSPICIES OF KENT STATE UNIVERSITY'S FLIGHT DEPARTMENT. ALL OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE CERTIFICATED PILOTS, TWO OF WHICH WERE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS, INCLUDING THE UNIVERSITY'S DIRECTOR OF FLIGHT OPERATIONS/CHIEF FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. THE PIC OF THE ACCIDENT SEGMENT WAS A CERTIFICATED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. THE PIC NOTED ON THE FLIGHT PLAN AN ENROUTE FLIGHT TIME OF 4 HOURS, AND 5 HOURS TOTAL FUEL. THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY AIRPLANE PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. THE AIRPLANE'S BLOCK TIME WAS 4 HOURS AND 59 MINUTES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N555KS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N555KS-1991-04-17), registration cancelled 1991-04-17, S/N 273744 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-3744
- Airframe hours: 7583
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kent State University Airport
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1985, 81 hours before
- Departed: AMA, AMARILLO, TX
- Destination: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 612 total, 25 in this make and model, 586 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 240° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 14 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 19860407010029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860407010029A), Apr 7, 1986: Piper PA23250, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. Fuel exhaustion. Crash landed on rough terrain. Flight was supervised by the chief pilot sitting in a rear seat.

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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