# NTSB LAX92LA194: Piper PA-31-325, N59781, Independence, CA, May 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1992, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Independence, CA
- Coordinates: 36.829925, -118.240196 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8299&lon=-118.2402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27611
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27611/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA194

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO 1) THE PILOTS INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING PREPARATION, 2) THE PILOT'S FUEL SYSTEM MANAGEMENT, AND 3) HIS OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN THE AIRCRAFT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: 1) THE DETERIORATED CONDITION OF THE AIRPLANE BATTERY, AND, 2) THE PILOTS LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE.

## 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
  - 2 engines (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - electrical system,battery - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

THE PIPER NAVAJO HAD NOT FLOWN FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS. DURING PREPARATION FOR FLIGHT THE PILOT DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. THE BATTERY WAS REMOVED FOR CHARGING BY THE FIXED BASE OPERATOR, THE BATTERY BOX WAS CLEANED AND PAINTED. THE OPERATOR ADVISED THAT THE BATTERY WAS OVER 3 YEARS OLD PLUS THE 9 MONTHS OF NON USE RENDERED THE BATTERY NON RELIABLE AND RECOMMENDED THAT IT BE REPLACED. THE PILOT CHOOSE NOT TO CHANGE THE BATTERY. THE PILOT REQUESTED THAT THE MAIN TANKS BE TOPPED. THE PILOT FLEW THE AIRPLANE FOR A SHORT TIME. THE NEXT DAY (DAY OF THE ACCIDENT) THE PILOT, WHILE PREFLIGHTING THE AIRPLANE, DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY WAS AGAIN DEAD SO HE REQUESTED AN EXTERNAL POWER CART FOR STARTING. ABOUT AN HOUR INTO THE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE PILOT STATED THAT BOTH ENGINES QUIT WHILE ON THE AUX TANKS. HE STATED THAT HE HAD NO ELECTRICAL POWER FOR FUEL BOOST PUMPS OR STARTERS. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH ELECTRICAL POWER LINES DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING ATTEMPT IN AN ALFALFA FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59781](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59781-1993-04-14), registration cancelled 1993-04-14, S/N 317612023 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-325
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-325](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-325) (registry code 7103105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7612023
- Airframe hours: 1750
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-F2BD 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cross Country Construction,Inc
- Registered owner: Cross Country Construction,Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1991
- Departed: HMT, HEMET, CA
- Destination: 004, CARSON CITY, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 500 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Observed at: BIH, 40 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 19920502013199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920502013199A), May 2, 1992: Piper PA31325, Independence, CA, Destroyed. Departed with known dead battery. Ran aux tanks dry. No restart on mains. No electric power for boost or starters.

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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