# NTSB LAX86LA110: Piper PA-23-250, N5300Y, San Francisco, CA, February 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1986, 17:17 local (Feb 10, 1986, 01:17 UTC)
- Place: San Francisco, CA
- Location: 37.7750° N, 122.4194° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Francisco, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7750&lon=-122.4194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25067
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25067/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA110

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - fuel system - leak (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
- Ditching, landing
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON FEB 9, 1986 AT 1717 PST A PIPER PA-23, N5300Y, DITCHED APPROXIMATELY 460 NM SW OF SFO, CA. THE FLT ORIGINATED FROM HNL, HI. IN FLT FUEL LEAK WAS DISCOVERED AFTER 7 HRS OF FLIGHT. FUEL VAPORS WERE SEEN CONTRAILING OFF BOTH WINGS. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO ISOLATE THE LEAK AND WAS UNABLE. THE CROSSFEED SELECTOR AND ACFT FUEL SELECTOR BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE. THE SOURCE OF THE FUEL LEAK WAS LOCATED EITHER IN THE WING OR IN THE CROSSFEED SYSTEM. THE ACFT DITCHED AFTER 9 HRS 45 MIN OF FLT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5300Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5300Y-2014-10-27), registration cancelled 2014-10-27, S/N 27-2372, 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: 27-2372
- Airframe hours: 6775
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Contract Services
- Registered owner: David Andre
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1985, 35 hours before
- Departed: HNL, HONOLULU, HI
- Destination: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: OAK, Oakland Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 980 total, 23 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 6 knots
- Temperature: 61 °F
- 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 19860209032709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860209032709A), Feb 9, 1986: Piper PA23250, San Francisco, CA, Destroyed. Ditched in ocean 485 miles from San Francisco due out of fuel. Right fuel selector valve failed,fuel went overboard.

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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