# NTSB LAX89LA199: Piper PA-31-350, N35479, Arcata, CA, May 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1989, 01:48 local (08:48 UTC)
- Place: Arcata, CA
- Coordinates: 40.850963, -124.050796 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8510&lon=-124.0508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26412
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26412/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA199

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS AND IMPROPER FUEL TANK SELECTOR POSITION. THESE RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION TO BOTH ENGINES WHEN THE AUX TANKS RAN DRY AND THE MAINS HAD FUEL REMAINING IN THEM. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED WHEN THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO LAND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ESTABLISHED ON AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH, THE RIGHT ENGINE LOST POWER. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART EITHER ENGINE AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE AUX TANKS WERE EMPTY. THE MAIN FUEL TANKS CONTAINED AN UNKNOWN QUANTITY AND WERE RUPTURED IN THE CRASH SEQUENCE. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN OPERATING OFF OF THE AUX TANKS PRIOR TO THE LOSS OF POWER. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED WITH THE AIRPLANE OR ENGINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35479](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35479-1992-02-03), registration cancelled 1992-02-03, S/N 318052024 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-8052024
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Northern Aviation
- Registered owner: Fortuna Communications Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 1989
- Departed: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Destination: EKA, EUREKA, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ACV, Arcata, runway 32, 5,998 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,288 total, 66 in this make and model, 2,998 as pilot in command, 189 in the last 90 days, 83 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACV, 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 19890520012409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890520012409A), May 20, 1989: Piper PA31350, Arcata - Eureka, CA, Substantial damage. Both engines quit on an ILS approach no restart. Broke out, landed in a field. Aux tanks empty. Fuel in mains.

## Other investigations on N35479 (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 LAX84IA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84IA147), Jan 20, 1984: Piper PA-31-350 (N35479), Redding, CA, incident, minor 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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