# NTSB LAX90LA195: Piper PA-18, N8474D, Fullerton, CA, May 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1990, 10:46 local (17:46 UTC)
- Place: Fullerton, CA
- Location: 33.8857° N, 117.9280° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fullerton, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8857&lon=-117.9280&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26821
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA195
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26821/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA195

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE. A FACTOR WAS THE IMPROPERLY MODIFIED FUEL SELECTOR VALVE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - residential area
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE DEPARTED WITH 35 GALLONS OF FUEL. FLEW FOR ONE HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTES DURING WHICH TIME HE FLEW HALF AND HALF ON THE TANKS. HE STATED HE DEPARTED AND LANDED ON THE LEFT TANK. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM NOTED 15 GALLONS IN THE RIGHT TANK AND 1/4 GALLON IN THE LEFT TANK. ALSO NOTED WAS A FIELD FABRICATED SECONDARY POINTER ON THE FUEL SELECTOR. THIS POINTER WOULD NOT CONSISTENTLY INDEX WITH THE STOCK IMPERIAL VALVE POINTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8474D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8474D-2017-02-04), registration cancelled 2017-02-04, S/N 18-6179, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-6179
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Jefe Voladores, Inc.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,583 total, 105 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: ATCT

## 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 19900525017719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900525017719A), May 25, 1990: Piper PA18150, Fullerton, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on final. Landed on city street. No defects. Modified fuel selector index loose. One tank empty.

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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