# NTSB LAX89LA316: Piper PA-22, N3015Z, Winkelman, AZ, September 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1989, 23:40 local (Sep 20, 1989, 06:40 UTC)
- Place: Winkelman, AZ
- Location: 32.9825° N, 110.7617° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Winkelman, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9825&lon=-110.7617&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26504
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA316
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26504/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA316

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AFTER HE BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED,  WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.   FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  DARKNESS,  THE PILOT'S LACK OF VISUAL CUES AT NIGHT,  THE AIRCRAFT'S LOW FUEL LEVEL, AND THE TERRAIN CONDITION (HIGH VEGETATION/BUSHES) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DURING A NIGHT FLT, HE HAD DIFFICULTY FINDING HIS DESTINATION.  SUBSEQUENTLY, HIS FUEL DECREASED & HE ELECTED TO LAND ON A ROAD.  DURING THE APCH TO LAND, THE AIRPLANE RAN OUT OF FUEL.  AFTER TOUCHDOWN, IT HIT A BUSH & NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3015Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3015Z), registered now, S/N 22-6966, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 226966
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Forsyth, Robert E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KINGMAN, AZ
- Destination: WILCOX, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 210 total, 46 in this make and model, 142 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890919035659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890919035659A), Sep 19, 1989: Piper PA22150, Winkleman, AZ, Substantial damage. Became lost en route at night. Elected to land in a field due to low fuel. Ran out of fuel landing and nosed over.

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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