# NTSB LAX91LA272: Piper PA-28-181, N1029H, Rio Vista, CA, June 23, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1991, 21:54 local (Jun 23, 1991, 04:54 UTC)
- Place: Rio Vista, CA
- Coordinates: 38.179492, -121.729995 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1795&lon=-121.7300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27258
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA272
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27258/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA272

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOTS IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS AND INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Overrun, landing - roll
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE HAD THE AIRCRAFT REFUELED TO MAXIMUM TANK CAPACITY PRIOR TO DEPARTING FROM SACRAMENTO AT 1720 HOURS.  THE AIRCRAFT FLEW TO ALTURAS, WHERE IT LANDED AT 1920 HOURS.  AFTER A BRIEF STOP TO DEPLANE ONE PASSENGER, THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED ALTURAS AT 1945 HOURS FOR THE REMAINING LEG OF THE FLIGHT TO PALO ALTO.  AT 2154 HOURS, THE ENGINE QUIT WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVER THE RIO VISTA AIRPORT.  THE PILOT SAID HE ATTEMPTED A POWER OFF FORCED LANDING AT THE AIRPORT AND OVERSHOT THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRCRAFT LANDED LONG, RAN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND THROUGH TWO FENCES.  THE RIO VISTA FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY TO THE ACCIDENT SITE.  ACCORDING TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL WHO ARRIVED AT THE SCENE, NO FUEL REMAINED IN THE TANKS AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1029H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1029H), registered now, S/N 28-7790278 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7790278
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Parker, David W.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: O00, ALTURAS, CA
- Destination: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA
- Airport: 088, Rio Vista, runway 7, 3,060 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 305 total, 100 in this make and model, 225 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 70° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 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 19910622029429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910622029429A), Jun 22, 1991: Piper PA28181, Rio Vista, CA, Substantial damage. Fuel exhaustion en route at night. Overshot forced landing at airport. Ran off end runway through two fences.

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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