# NTSB LAX90LA160: Piper PA30, N7946Y, Sedona, AZ, May 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1990, 12:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Sedona, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.940578, -111.939018 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9406&lon=-111.9390&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26790/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA160

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISMANAGEMENT OF THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## 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 - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT ENGINE FAILED WHILE THE PILOT WAS ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE PILOT ASSUMED THE ENGINE WAS PRODUCING SOME POWER AND DID NOT ATTEMPT TO RESTART OR SECURE THE ENGINE OR FEATHER THE PROPELLER. HE DIVERTED THE FLIGHT TO A NEARBY AIRPORT FOR LANDING AND WHILE ON THE DOWNWIND LEG THE LEFT ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT TURNED TOWARDS THE RUNWAY AND IMPACTED THE GROUND ON THE RUNWAY. THE IMPACT SHEARED THE LANDING GEAR. THE FUEL SELECTORS WERE POSITIONED TO THE AUX TANKS, WHICH WERE FOUND TO BE EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7946Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7946Y-1992-05-19), registration cancelled 1992-05-19, S/N 301042 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301042
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-C1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Haaf, Tom
- Registered owner: Unkown
- Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA
- Destination: 2E1, DALHART, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SEZ, Sedona, runway 3, 5,131 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,589 total, 17 in this make and model, 1,402 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 135 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900501012249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900501012249A), May 1, 1990: Piper PA30, Sedona, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost both engines after aux tanks ran dry. Landed short of runway. Main tanks were full. Failed to switch tanks.

## Other investigations on N7946Y (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 SEA83LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA092), Apr 27, 1983: Piper PA-30B (N7946Y), Lakeview, OR, substantial 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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