# NTSB LAX89LA067: Piper PA-28-181, N4297X, Victorville, CA, December 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1988, 17:50 local (Dec 23, 1988, 01:50 UTC)
- Place: Victorville, CA
- Coordinates: 34.360668, -117.319244 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3607&lon=-117.3192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26311
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26311/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA067

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING ON AN INTERSTATE. DURING THE DESCENT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TRANSMISSION WIRES AND SUBSEQUENTLY CAME TO REST ON INTERSTATE 15. DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE, IT WAS FOUND THAT BOTH FUEL TANKS CONTAINED VERY LITTLE FUEL. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS. DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PILOT SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AN OFFICER FROM THE SAN BERNARDINO CALIFORNIA SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT NOTED A STRONG ODOR OF ALCOHOL ON THE PILOTS BREATH AND THAT HIS EYES APPEARED TO BE VERY GLASSY AND BLOODSHOT. A TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF BLOOD TAKEN FROM THE PILOT AT THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF .03 PERCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4297X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4297X-2013-07-19), registration cancelled 2013-07-19, S/N 28-8390046, built 1983 (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)
- 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: 28-8390046
- Airframe hours: 3159
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bud Walen Aviation
- Registered owner: Chapman, Howard W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 14, 1988, 7 hours before
- Departed: L35, BIG BEAR, CA
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 72 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 16 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VCV

## 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 19881222058469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881222058469A), Dec 22, 1988: Piper PA28181, Victorville, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel. Struck wires and crashed trying to land on freeway. Pilot tested positive for alcohol.

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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