# NTSB LAX86LA343: Piper PA-32-300, N4083R, Riverside, CA, August 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1986, 03:45 local (11:45 UTC)
- Place: Riverside, CA
- Coordinates: 33.989456, -117.440551 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9895&lon=-117.4406&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): 25251
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA343
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25251/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA343

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Undershoot, landing
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE TO HAWTHORNE AIRPORT THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. DURING A CIRCLING DESCENT THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN 500 FT SHORT OF RWY 27 AT RIVERSIDE AIRPORT. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE LEFT MAIN WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL TANKS REVEALED THAT THE MAIN TANKS WERE EMPTY AND THE OUTBOARD TANKS CONTAINED 10 GALLONS OF FUEL EACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4083R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4083R-1991-08-21), registration cancelled 1991-08-21, S/N 3240399 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40399
- Airframe hours: 5650
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth W. Griffith
- Registered owner: Gold Coast Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 13, 1986, 36 hours before
- Departed: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: HHR, HAWTHORNE, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RAL, Riverside

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,376 total, 145 in this make and model, 1,341 as pilot in command, 336 in the last 90 days, 104 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °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 19860825045749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860825045749A), Aug 25, 1986: Piper PA32300, Riverside, CA, Substantial damage. Engine failed during flight due to fuel starvation. Pilot failed to switch tanks. Aircraft landed short of runway.

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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