# NTSB LAX90LA038: Piper PA-28-161, N4359C, Hayward, CA, November 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1989, 20:56 local (Nov 19, 1989, 04:56 UTC)
- Place: Hayward, CA
- Coordinates: 37.669353, -122.079986 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6694&lon=-122.0800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26690
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26690/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA038

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.  COLLISION WITH A VEHICLE IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA CONTRIBUTED TO THE DAMAGE AND INJURIES.

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THE ENG LOST POWER AS THE ACFT WAS ON FINAL APCH TO LAND. THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED ABOUT 3/4 MI FROM THE ARPT. HAVING INSUFFICIENT ALT TO GLIDE TO THE RWY, THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND IN A PARKING LOT. WHILE LANDING, THE ACFT STRUCK AN AUTOMOBILE & WAS DAMAGED. THERE WERE 2 OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE; BOTH RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANKS. NO PRE-ACDNT ANOMALIES OF THE ACFT WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4359C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4359C), registered now, S/N 28-8416088 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8416088
- Airframe hours: 3300
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alberta & Christopher Haaland
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 1989, 200 hours before
- Departed: 3O8, COALINGA, CA
- Destination: HWD
- Airport: HWD, Hayward Air Terminal, runway 28R, 3,107 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 415 total, 395 in this make and model, 376 as pilot in command, 126 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HWD

## 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 19891118045819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891118045819A), Nov 18, 1989: Piper PA28161, Hayward, CA, Substantial damage. Ran a tank dry on landing approach then switched not completely to other tank. Struck vehicle on landing.

## Other investigations on N4359C (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 LAX94LA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA270), Jun 30, 1994: Piper PA-28-161 (N4359C), San Carlos, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student pilot's attempt to exit the runway at an excessive taxi speed which resulted in his loss of control.

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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