# NTSB LAX86LA046: Piper PA-23-250, N5353Y, Tustin, CA, November 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 23, 1985, 15:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Tustin, CA
- Location: 33.7292° N, 117.6696° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from JOHN WAYNE/ORANGE COUNTY (SNA), within about 4 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7292&lon=-117.6696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25023
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25023/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA046

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing
  - fuel system,tank - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE PLT'S MECHANIC PERFORMED A PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTION OF THE ACFT. NO MALFUNCTIONS WERE DETECTED WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM, & THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE PLT THAT THE ACFT WAS OVERALL 'IN GOOD CONDITION.' LATER IN THE DAY THE PLT PURCHASED THE ACFT, & AFTER OBSERVING THAT ITS MAIN FUEL TANKS WERE VIRTUALLY FULL HE TOOK OFF. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, WITH FULL MAIN FUEL TANKS THE ACFT'S ENDURANCE WOULD BE 2.8 HRS. DURING THE FLIGHT THE PLT OBSERVED THE MAIN TANKS' FUEL GAUGES, & THEY INDICATED THE FUEL LEVEL TO BE AT 1/2 & 1/4 CAPACITY. 10 MIN LATER BOTH ENGINES LOST ALL POWER, & PLT MADE A FORCED LDG IN AN UNDERLYING SOFT FIELD. EXAM OF THE FUEL TANKS' BLADDERS REVEALED THAT SOME OF THE SNAP FASTENERS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE TOPS OF THE BLADDERS WERE EXCESSIVELY WEATHER CHECKED & HAD SHRUNK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5353Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5353Y-2013-04-18), registration cancelled 2013-04-18, S/N 27-2426, built 1963 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-2426
- Airframe hours: 3085
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A18B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edwin B. Dearborn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1984
- Departed: CA, MADERA, CA
- Destination: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Airport: SNA, John Wayne Arpt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 152 in this make and model, 225 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19851123057929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851123057929A), Nov 23, 1985: Piper PA23250, Tustin, CA, Substantial damage. Fuel cell bladders not fastened, partially collapsed. This reduced fuel capacity. Ran out of fuel, landed in 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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