# NTSB LAX91LA343: Piper PA-31-310, N504DB, Byron, CA, August 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1991, 19:58 local (Aug 3, 1991, 02:58 UTC)
- Place: Byron, CA
- Coordinates: 37.849712, -121.619796 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8497&lon=-121.6198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27315
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA343
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27315/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA343

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE AND HIS MISJUDGING THE DISTANCE TO THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Undershoot, landing
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE ON A PERSONAL CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, WHICH WAS THE THIRD FLIGHT OF THE DAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL TANKS HAD BEEN FILLED PRIOR TO BEGINNING THE FLIGHTS. WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 40 MILES SHORT OF THE DESTINATION, BOTH ENGINES SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. DURING THE ENSUING EMERGENCY LANDING THE AIRPLANE LANDED 400 FEET SHORT OF A SMALL AIRPORT RUNWAY, COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND DITCH, AND SHEARED OFF THE LANDING GEAR. NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE WAS FOUND AT THE FUEL CAPS OR FUEL DRAINS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N504DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N504DB-2013-07-10), registration cancelled 2013-07-10, S/N 31-222, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-310
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-222
- Airframe hours: 9000
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540-A2B 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ricardo Barbera
- Registered owner: Ricardo Barbera
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 1991, 15 hours before
- Departed: L39, RAMONA, CA
- Destination: APC, NAPA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,880 total, 270 in this make and model, 1,880 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 260° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LVK, 12 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 19910802060309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910802060309A), Aug 2, 1991: Piper PA31310, Byron, CA, Substantial damage. Both engines quit en route. Vectored to airport. Landed short. Hit fence and ditch. No fuel onboard aircraft.

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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