# NTSB LAX88LA147: Piper PA-38-112, N2498D, Apple Valley, CA, April 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1988, 13:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Apple Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 34.569389, -117.149871 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5694&lon=-117.1499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25977
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25977/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA147

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DRG A FLT FROM HAWTHORNE TO DELANO, CA, THE PLT BECAME LOST, SAW AN ARPT & LANDED. AFTER LANDING, SHE LEARNED SHE WAS AT THE DEPUE ARPT, LENWOOD, CA. NO FUEL WAS AVAILABLE, SO SHE ELECTED TO FLY TO APPLE VALLEY, A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 17 MI. HOWEVER, BEFORE REACHING APPLE VALLEY, THE ENG LOST PWR FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT A BERM WHILE LANDING ON DESERT TERRAIN & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2498D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2498D), registered now, S/N 38-79A0334, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3879A0334
- Airframe hours: 2005
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Raymond F. Ryback
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: 6CA8, LENWOOD, CA
- Destination: APV, APPLE VALLEY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 143 total, 141 in this make and model, 97 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19880401007579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880401007579A), Apr 1, 1988: Piper PA38112, Apple Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Fuel starvation after becoming lost. Landed in desert adjacent to a road and hit a berm. Had fuel in other tank.

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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