# NTSB LAX87LA010: Piper PA-32R-301T, N8159C, Rancho, CA, October 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1986, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Rancho, CA
- Coordinates: 33.959743, -117.309814 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9597&lon=-117.3098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25450
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25450/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA010

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flt with inadqt en route/destn facilities - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

A PIPER PA-32R-301T COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AFTER A FORCED LANDING. A RENTER PILOT REPORTED THE AIRCRAFT WAS STOLEN. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL PRESENT IN THE AIRCRAFT FUEL TANKS. IT WAS ALSO REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS TRANSPORTING 400 TO 500 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8159C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301T (PA-32R-301)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-8029058
- Airframe hours: 780
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-440-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Martin Aviation
- Registered owner: Barton, Alan B.& R. Colley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1986
- Airport: Billy Joe (Pvt A/S)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19861007048339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861007048339A), Oct 7, 1986: Piper PA32R301T, Rancho, CA, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion. The aircraft was reported stolen. Illegal drugs were found in wreckage.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.