# NTSB LAX86LA040: Piper PA28-151, N41309, San Jose, CA, November 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1985, 18:21 local (Nov 18, 1985, 02:21 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.32901, -121.829582 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3290&lon=-121.8296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25018
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25018/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA040

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APCH FOR SAN JOSE MUNI AIRPORT AT THE END OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLT, THE ACFT EXPERIENCED TOTAL FUEL EXHAUSTION. PLT DIVERTED A/C TO RIED HILLVIEW AIRPORT & ESTABLISHED POWER-OFF GLIDE. ON FINAL FOR RWY 31R, PLT SAID HE REALIZED THE A/C WOULD NOT MAKE THE RUNWAY & 'STALLED THE A/C' INTO GROUND OBSTRUCTIONS TO REDUCE THE FWD SPEED AT IMPACT. FAA INSPECTORS FOUND NO FUEL IN THE A/C & NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE. A/C WAS AIRBORNE FOR ABOUT 3 HRS 45 MINS. THE PLT PLANNED A FUEL CONSUMPTION OF 7.9 GPH. PRIOR TO TAKEOFF AT DEPARTURE AIRPORT, A/C WAS FUELED TO THE TABS, WHICH GAVE A TOTAL USABLE FUEL LOAD OF 32 GALS. AT 7.9 GPH, 3 HRS 45 MINS OF ELAPSED TIME USES 29.6 GALS OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N41309 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-151
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7415166
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Timothy W. Tufnell
- Registered owner: Norman Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1985
- Departed: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Destination: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: RHV, Reid-Hillview, runway 31, 3,101 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 69 total, 9 in this make and model, 44 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RHV

## 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 19851117057529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851117057529A), Nov 17, 1985: Piper PA28151, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Miscalculated usable fuel and time en route. Ran out of fuel and stalled aircraft to reduce forward speed on landing

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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