# NTSB LAX90LA262: Piper PA-23, N4950P, Long Beach, CA, July 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1990, 18:43 local (Jul 20, 1990, 01:43 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.809993, -118.180015 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8100&lon=-118.1800&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 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26872
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA262
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26872/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA262

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED 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
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE DEPARTED LONG BEACH, CA, ON A ROUND-ROBIN FLIGHT TO LAS VEGAS, NV, WITH FULL TANKS. FLT TIME TO LAS VEGAS WAS ABT 1.5 HOURS; THE RETURN FLT WAS ABOUT 1.7 HRS. HOWEVER, A POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED TOTAL FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4950P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4950P-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 27-546, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-235) (registry code 7102306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-546
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B1A5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nealy, Jeffrey A.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Airport: LGB, Long Beach, runway 25R, 5,000 × 200 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,600 total, 6 in this make and model, 237 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: LGB

## 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 19900719027509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900719027509A), Jul 19, 1990: Piper PA23235, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on approach to runway. Crash landed on city street. Had departed from las vegas, Nevada.

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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