# NTSB LAX91LA395: Piper PA-24-260, N8888P, Tehachapi, CA, September 15, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1991, 15:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Tehachapi, CA
- Coordinates: 35.120365, -118.509315 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1204&lon=-118.5093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27359
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA395
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27359/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA395

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT KNOWING HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS TO REACH HIS DESTINATION.  BUT HE WANTED TO RUN THEM DRY TO CHECK THE CALIBRATION ENROUTE FOR AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. BECAUSE OF HIS ALTITUDE, HE OVERFLEW HIS FIRST CHOICE FOR REFUELING, DURING WHICH TIME HIS FUEL QUANTITY INDICATION WAS ERRATIC.  AS HE STARTED HIS LETDOWN FOR HIS SECOND CHOICE FOR LANDING HIS ENGINE QUIT.  HE ATTEMPTED A LANDING IN A COW PASTURE AND COLLIDED WITH SMALL BERMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8888P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8888P-1994-04-25), registration cancelled 1994-04-25, S/N 244262 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4262
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James W. Hager
- Registered owner: James W. Hager
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Destination: L12, REDLANDS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 947 total, 318 in this make and model, 947 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 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 19910915040039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910915040039A), Sep 15, 1991: Piper PA24260, Tehachapi, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Had passed airport with low fuel. Tried to make next airport. No fuel found after accident.

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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