# NTSB LAX89LA230: Piper PA-30B-160, N8212Y, Merced, CA, July 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1989, 21:07 local (Jul 6, 1989, 04:07 UTC)
- Place: Merced, CA
- Coordinates: 37.350975, -120.42031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3510&lon=-120.4203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26439
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26439/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA230

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - 2 engines
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - light condition - dark night

## Analysis

AFTER FILLING THE ACFT FUEL TANKS, THE PILOT TOOKOFF FOR HIS RETURN FLIGHT TO HIS HOME ARPT. THE RIGHT ENGINE LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION APPROXIMATELY 50 NAUITICAL MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION. THE PILOT TURNED TOWARDS AN APRT IN HIS VICINITY. AS THE ACFT APPROACHED THE RWY OF INTENDED LANDING THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN ABOUT ONE HALF MILE SHORT OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8212Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8212Y-2017-03-06), registration cancelled 2017-03-06, S/N 30-1339, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30B-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-1339
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry A. Lamb
- Departed: ECS, NEWCASTLE, WY
- Destination: 307, HOLLISTER, CA
- Airport: MCE, Merced Muni, runway 30, 5,903 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 724 total, 154 in this make and model, 670 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: MER, 7 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 19890705019769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890705019769A), Jul 5, 1989: Piper PA30, Merced, CA, Substantial damage. Lost right engine near destination,lost left engine on vectored approach. No fuel found at scene short of runway.

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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