# NTSB LAX91LA240: Piper PA38-112, N9283T, Stockton, CA, June 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1991, 19:14 local (Jun 3, 1991, 02:14 UTC)
- Place: Stockton, CA
- Coordinates: 37.899848, -121.400321 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8998&lon=-121.4003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27230
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA240
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27230/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA240

## Probable cause

THAT THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND USED POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING, INFLIGHT DECISION, AND FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS 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, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE INITIATING PIC ELECTED TO PUT MINIMAL FUEL ON BOARD FOR THE PLANNED FLIGHT TO COLUMBIA AIRPORT, COLUMBIA, CA.  THE CFI WHO WAS GOING TO OCCUPY THE LEFT FRONT SEAT AGREED.  UPON APPROACHING COLUMBIA THE INITIATING PIC ATTEMPTED TO CALL THE UNICOM BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE.  THE INITIATING PIC WITH THE CONCURRENCE OF THE CFI DIVERTED TOWARDS CALVERAS COUNTY AIRPORT. THE INITIATING PIC ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT CALVERAS COUNTY UNICOM BUT TO NO AVAIL.  THE CFI ASSUMED COMMAND OF THE AIRPLANE AND DIVERTED TOWARD STOCKTON.  WHILE APPROACHING STOCKTON THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.  THE CFI ELECTED TO LAND IN AN OPEN CROP FIELD.  THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE SOFT TERRAIN DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9283T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9283T-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 38-78A0318, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0318
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James A. Fikes
- Registered owner: James A. Fikes
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: FAT, FRESNO, CA
- Destination: AUN, AUBURN, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 550 total, 320 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SCK, 1 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 19910602018789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910602018789A), Jun 2, 1991: Piper PA38112, Stockton, CA, Substantial damage. Fuel starvation on flight to obtain fuel and unable fuel 2 airports. Diverted to a third. Force landed in field.

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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