# NTSB LAX87LA047: Piper PA-28-180, N8474W, Merced, CA, November 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 23, 1986, 16:55 local (Nov 24, 1986, 00:55 UTC)
- Place: Merced, CA
- Coordinates: 37.349853, -120.41938 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3499&lon=-120.4194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25476
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25476/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA047

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE RETURN LEG OF A ROUND ROBIN CROSS COUNTRY, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. ABOUT 15 MINUTES EARLIER, THE PILOT HAD DELIBERATELY RUN THE LEFT FUEL TANK DRY. AT THAT TIME, THE RIGHT TANK INDICATED THAT 6 TO 7 GALLONS OF FUEL WAS REMAINING. DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A SOFT FIELD, THE AIRCRAFT HIT A FURROW AND NOSED OVER. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, LESS THAN ONE QUART OF FUEL WAS FOUND REMAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8474W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8474W-2012-09-18), registration cancelled 2012-09-18, S/N 28-2716, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 282716
- Airframe hours: 5046
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen R. Hoffman
- Registered owner: David Broadwater
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1986, 38 hours before
- Departed: EMT, EL MONTE, CA
- Destination: MCE, MERCED, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,121 total, 36 in this make and model, 3,275 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 330° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MER, 11 nm away

## Other investigations on N8474W (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI68F0373](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI68F0373), Oct 26, 1967: Piper PA-28 (N8474W), Salem, IL, substantial damage

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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