# NTSB LAX92LA329: Piper PA-28R-200, N3030R, Gila Bend, AZ, August 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1992, 17:30 local (Aug 1, 1992, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Gila Bend, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.81945, -111.900917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8195&lon=-111.9009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27715
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA329
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27715/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA329

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOTS INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT AND INFLIGHT PLANNING, AND, HIS FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED TUCSON, ARIZONA, ON THE MORNING OF JULY 31 FOR A FLIGHT TO YUCCA VALLEY. WHEN HE WAS READY TO DEPART ON THE RETURN LEG OF THE ROUND ROBIN CROSS COUNTRY THE PILOT DISCOVERED THAT NO FUEL SERVICE WAS AVAILABLE AT YUCCA VALLEY AND HE DEPARTED WITH THE INTENTION OF FUELING THE AIRCRAFT WHILE ENROUTE BACK TO TUCSON.  AFTER DEPARTURE FROM YUCCA VALLEY, THE AIRCRAFT BY PASSED THE AIRPORTS AT PALM SPRINGS AND THERMAL, THEN OVER FLEW BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA. OVER BLYTHE THE PILOT SAID HE COULD NOT RAISE ANYONE ON THE UNICOM TO VERIFY IF FUEL WAS AVAILABLE.  THE NEXT AIRPORT ON THE MOST DIRECT ROUTING TO TUCSON WAS GILA BEND, ARIZONA.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESCENDING TOWARD THE GILA BEND AIRPORT WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT.  THE AIRCRAFT LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY IN A FIELD AND INCURRED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE AIRCRAFT FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3030R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R35655
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Candle And Associates, doing business as Avra Valley Air
- Registered owner: Candle And Associates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 1900, 57 hours before
- Departed: L22, YUCCA VALLEY, CA
- Destination: E14, TUCSON, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,200 total, 10 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920731028659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920731028659A), Jul 31, 1992: Piper PA28R200, Gila Bend, AZ, Substantial damage. Low on fuel over flew 3 airports prior to fuel exhaustion on final. Crash landed short of diversion airport.

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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