# NTSB LAX93LA059: Piper PA-28-140, N5405S, Lost Hills, CA, December 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1992, 18:14 local (Dec 3, 1992, 02:14 UTC)
- Place: Lost Hills, CA
- Coordinates: 35.609634, -119.900527 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6096&lon=-119.9005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27878
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27878/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA059

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, POOR FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, AND DELAY IN EFFECTING ANY REMEDIAL ACTION.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY BECOMING LOST/DISORIENTED AND THE DARK NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT DEPARTED WITH 10 GALLONS OF FUEL TOWARD A MOUNTAINOUS AREA DURING A DARK NIGHT.  WHILE ENROUTE THE PILOT BECAME LOST AND DISORIENTED. HE CONTACTED THE TRACON AND REPORTED A LOW FUEL STATE.  THE CONTROLLER VECTORED THE FLIGHT TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT.  THE PILOT COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE AIRPORT OR TURN ON THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WHILE CIRCLING OVER THE AIRPORT. IN AN ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT DESCENDED TOWARD THE AIRPORT.  DURING THE DESCENT THE AIRPLANE STRUCK SOME POWER LINES.  THERE WAS NO POST IMPACT FIRE ALTHOUGH THE TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED BURNS ON THEIR ARMS FROM THE SEVERED POWER LINES.  THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RUNWAY LIGHTS ACTIVATED NORMALLY BY CLICKING THE MICROPHONE USING THE COMMON TRAFFIC ADVISORY FREQUENCY AS INDICATED IN THE AIRPORT/FACILITY DIRECTORY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5405S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5405S-2013-07-19), registration cancelled 2013-07-19, S/N 28-7125110, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7125110
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hixson, Robert W.
- Registered owner: Hixson, Robert W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 010, DINUBA, CA
- Destination: L52, OCEANO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 450 total, 200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 20° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 25 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 19921202048739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921202048739A), Dec 2, 1992: Piper PA28140, Lost Hills, CA, Substantial damage. Low on fuel and Lost. Got vectors to airport but unable to activate lights, struck wires trying land on a road.

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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