# NTSB LAX92LA101: Piper PA-31P, N7325L, Tonopah, NV, January 25, 1992 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 24, 1992, 19:30 local (Jan 25, 1992, 03:30 UTC) - Place: Tonopah, NV - Coordinates: 38.360164, -116.260612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3602&lon=-116.2606&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 27545 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27545/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA101 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT THERE WAS AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT DUE TO ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGEMENT RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OF BOTH ENGINES. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - all engines - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis SOMEONE CALLED THE TOWER AT LAS VEGAS AND ADVISED THAT THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE TAXIING OUT FOR TAKEOFF HAD BEEN DRINKING. THE CONTROLLER INSTRUCTED THE PILOT TO RETURN TO THE RAMP, BUT HE REFUSED TO DO SO. THE CONTROLLER THEN ADVISED THE PILOT THAT THE RUNWAY WAS CLOSED, AND THE PILOT SAID HE HAD TO TAKE OFF AND DID SO AT 1845. THE CONTROLLER CONTACTED THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES WHO IN TURN INFORMED THE TONOPAH SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AT THE PILOT'S PLANNED DESTINATION. AWAITING DEPUTIES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE LAND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. UPON THEIR ARRIVAL THE PILOT WAS SITTING ON THE LEFT FRONT SEAT, AND THERE WERE 3 EMPTY BEER CANS IN THE SNOW BELOW THE PILOT'S WINDOW. WHEN THE PILOT EXITED THE AIRPLANE THE DEPUTIES REPORTED THAT THE PILOT SMELLED OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, HIS SPEECH WAS SLURRED, HIS EYES WERE BLOODSHOT, AND HIS BALANCE WAS UNSTABLE. THE PILOT REFUSED TO UNDERGO A SOBRIETY TEST OR ANY BLOOD TESTS. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED THAT THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7325L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7325L-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N 31P-7400206, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31P - Registry model: [Piper PA-31P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31p) (registry code 7103120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TIGO-541SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tigo-541ser) (registry code 41539, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31P-7400206 - Engines: LYCOMING TSIO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rock Springs Ranch, Ltd - Registered owner: Rock Springs Ranch, Ltd - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000 - Departed: VGT, NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Visibility: 30 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 19920124001069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920124001069A), Jan 24, 1992: Piper PA31P, Tonopah, NV, Substantial damage. Suspect under influence alcohol. Failed to comply ATC instructions. Crashed short of runway. Fuel tanks empty. ## Other investigations on N7325L (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN07LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07LA149), Aug 28, 2007: Piper PA-31P (N7325L), Newton, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the exhaust gasket on the number 6 cylinder for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.