# NTSB LAX91LA178: Piper PA22-150, N4416A, Las Vegas, NV, April 15, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1991, 07:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.170623, -115.199043 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1706&lon=-115.1990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27176
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27176/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA178

## Probable cause

THAT THE PILOT IMPROPERLY SELECTED THE FUEL TANK THAT DID NOT CONTAIN ANY FUEL AND HIS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - single engine aircraft
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - residence

## Analysis

WHILE ON A LOCAL PERSONAL FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS POWER.  THE PILOT NEGOTIATED SEVERAL TURNS IN SEARCH OF A SUITABLE LANDING AREA.  THE PILOT THEN EXECUTED A SHARP 90 DEGREE TURN AND STALLED THE AIRPLANE. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED THAT THE PILOT IMPROPERLY SELECTED THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE TO THE LEFT TANK WHICH DID NOT CONTAIN ANY FUEL.  THE RIGHT TANK WAS FOUND NEARLY FULL OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4416A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4416A-1992-04-24), registration cancelled 1992-04-24, S/N 223744 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-3744
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Owen T. Wilkerson
- Registered owner: Owen T. Wilkerson
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: ARDEN, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 232 total, 23 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910415010639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910415010639A), Apr 15, 1991: Piper PA22150, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Stalled maneuvering to land on a road. Fuel selector on empty tank.

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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