# NTSB LAX87LA062: Piper PA-28-235, N1429H, Hayward, CA, December 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 10, 1986, 18:32 local (Dec 11, 1986, 02:32 UTC)
- Place: Hayward, CA
- Coordinates: 37.669395, -122.079994 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6694&lon=-122.0800&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 March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25488
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25488/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA062

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight manuals - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A PIPER PA-28-235 COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BANK AFTER A LOSS OF POWER WHILE ON A NIGHT VFR PLEASURE FLIGHT. THE PLT INDICATED THAT APRX 3 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE CRUISING AT 1,400 FT MSL THE ENGINE RPM ABRUPTLY DECREASED TO IDLE. THE FUEL SELECTOR CONTROL WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT TIP TANK POSITION AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND THE LEFT TIP TANK WAS EMPTY. THE OPERATORS MANUAL FOR THE ACFT STATES 'FOR ALL OPERATIONS THE TIP TANKS SHOULD BE USED LAST. WHEN USING LESS THAN THE STANDARD 84 GAL CAPACITY OF THE TANKS, IT IS RECOMMENDED THE TIP TANKS BE FILLED FIRST AND THEN REGULATE THE FUEL LOAD BY VARYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE INBOARD TANKS.' THE PLT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS 30-35 GALS OF FUEL ON BOARD AT THE LAST TAKEOFF. THE CAPACITY OF THE TWO MAIN INBOARD TANKS IS 25 GALS EACH. THE TIP TANKS HOLD 17 GALS EACH. THE PLT INDICATED IN HIS STATEMENT THAT DURING HIS PREFLIGHT INSPECTION THE LEFT MAIN TANK WAS FILLED TO THE FILLER NECK WHILE THE RIGHT MAIN TANK WAS BELOW THE TAB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1429H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1429H-2012-07-06), registration cancelled 2012-07-06, S/N 28-7710001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7710001
- Airframe hours: 1119
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Air Trails
- Registered owner: Curby, Terry L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 4, 1986, 5 hours before
- Departed: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Destination: SNS, SALINAS, CA
- Airport: HWD, Hayward

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 293 total, 94 in this make and model, 253 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HWD, 2 nm away

## 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 19861210070939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861210070939A), Dec 10, 1986: Piper PA28235, Hayward, CA, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel starvation. The pilot selected an empty tank and was not using approved fuel management

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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