# NTSB LAX91LA148: Piper PA-23-250, N99255, Jean, NV, March 30, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1991, 17:45 local (Mar 30, 1991, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Jean, NV
- Coordinates: 35.749881, -115.529228 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7499&lon=-115.5292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27150
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27150/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA148

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE IMPROPER FUEL MANAGEMENT (POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR) BY THE PILOT, AND HIS IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.  THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRCRAFT WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

AFTER ABOUT 1 HOUR AND THIRTY MINUTES OF FLIGHT, A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED IN THE LEFT ENGINE.  WHILE THE PILOT WAS DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM, THE RIGHT ENGINE LOST POWER.  THE PILOT DID NOT SWITCH THE FUEL TANK SELECTORS TO THE OUTBOARD TANKS, AND EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON THE DESERT TERRAIN.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND NOSED OVER.  AN EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE OUTBOARD FUEL TANKS CONTAINED FUEL; THE INBOARD FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99255](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99255-1997-09-25), registration cancelled 1997-09-25, S/N 27543 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-235) (registry code 7102306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27543
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael T. Hagwood
- Registered owner: Michael T. Hagwood
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: L39, RAMONA, CA
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 176 total, 21 in this make and model, 102 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: LAS, 19 nm away

## 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 19910329008059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910329008059A), Mar 29, 1991: Piper PA23250, Jean, NV, Substantial damage. Lost both engines en route. Nosed over landing in desert. Fuel selectors on empty inboard tanks. Fuel in outboards.

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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