# NTSB LAX86FA220: Piper PA-28-160, N5412W, Chino, CA, May 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1986, 08:21 local (15:21 UTC)
- Place: Chino, CA
- Coordinates: 33.999454, -117.680274 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9995&lon=-117.6803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24912/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA220

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A 5.3 HR FLT, THE PLT ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN & WAS HI ON BASE & FINAL APCH. HE ELECTED TO GO AROUND, BUT THE ENG LOST POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AT ABOUT 200' AGL, JUST PAST THE DEP END OF THE RWY. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE RWY. THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP LEFT TURN IN A NOSE HI ATTITUDE, THEN PITCHED DOWN & HIT THE GND BFR THE PLTCOULD RECOVER. ALTHO THE FUEL SYS REMAINED INTACT, NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE TANKS OR LINES. AN INV REVEALED THE PLT HAD TAKEN OFF WITH THE ACFT LOADED 264 LBS OVER ITS MAX WT LIMIT & WITH THE CG JUST AHEAD OF THE FORWARD LIMIT. HE HAD ESTIMATED 4.4 HRS EN ROUTE, BUT HAD EXTENDED HIS VFR FLT PLAN BY .7 HR. CALCULATIONS SHOWED THAT IF THE ACFT HAD BEEN LOADED WITHIN ITS MAX LIMITS, 42 TO 44 GAL OF FUEL WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED FOR THE FLT. HOWEVER, FLT TEST DATA SHOWED THAT WITH THE ACFT'S EXTRA WT & FWD CG, APRX 51.5 GAL OF FUEL WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED. TOTAL USABLE FUEL FOR THE ACFT WAS 48 GAL. THE PLT HAD WORKED A NORMAL SHIFT (1600 TO 2400 HRS) PRIOR TO THE FLT. ARPT WAS SCHEDULED TO CLOSE AT 1300.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5412W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-432
- Airframe hours: 28
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenneth J. Curfman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 5, 1985, 48 hours before
- Departed: FHU, FORT HUACHUCA, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CNO, Chino, runway 26, 3,856 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 196 total, 105 in this make and model, 161 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CNO

## 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 19860517085469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860517085469A), May 17, 1986: Piper PA28160, Chino, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Engine failed from fuel exhaustion during go around. Pilot stalled aircraft attempting to turn to field.

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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