# NTSB LAX86LA047: Piper PA-23-250, N123, Ukiah, CA, November 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1985, 16:30 local (Nov 27, 1985, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Ukiah, CA
- Coordinates: 39.119361, -123.28083 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1194&lon=-123.2808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25024
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25024/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA047

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE TO SONOMA COUNTY ARPT, SANTA ROSA, CA, THE PLT BECAME CONCERNED ABOUT THE ACFT FUEL STATE. THE PLT ELECTED TO DIVERT TO UKIAH ARPT, UKIAH, CA, AND WHILE EN ROUTE THE ACFT EXPERIENCED TOTAL PWR LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE PLT LANDED LONG, OVERRAN THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH A LOCALIZER ANTENNA. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE FAILED TO SWITCH TO THE AUXILIARY FUEL TANKS WHICH CONTAINED FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N123](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123-2000-11-20), registration cancelled 2000-11-20, S/N 27-7654104 (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: 27-7654704
- Airframe hours: 270
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-C1A 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Samuel D. Cowen
- Registered owner: Richard L. Bradley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1985, 27 hours before
- Departed: 054, WEAVERVILLE, CA
- Destination: STS, SANTA ROSA, CA
- Airport: UKI, Ukiah, runway 15, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 322 total, 171 in this make and model, 96 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: UKI

## 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 19851126076289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851126076289A), Nov 26, 1985: Piper PA23250, Ukiah, CA, Substantial damage. Engines quit, main fuel tanks empty. Landed long, fast, overran runway. Hit localizer antennas. Aux tanks had fuel.

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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