# NTSB LAX88LA012: Piper PA-28-181, N4120F, Porterville, CA, October 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1987, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Porterville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.050506, -119.150001 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0505&lon=-119.1500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25884
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25884/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA012

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A NORMAL DESCENT, THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY DESCENT AND FORCE LANDED IN A FIELD. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS. DURING A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW, THE PILOT STATED THAT HE 'RAN OUT OF GAS'. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS REPORTED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4120F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4120F), registered now, S/N 28-7790005, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7790005
- Airframe hours: 2407
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A45 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Porterville Aviation
- Registered owner: Behrens, John F.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FAT, FRESNO, CA
- Destination: PTV, PORTERVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 107 total, 27 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19871011079099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871011079099A), Oct 11, 1987: Piper PA28181, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel and crash landed in a field.

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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