# NTSB LAX93LA196: Dornier DO-28, N12828, Paradise, CA, May 2, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1993, 12:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Paradise, CA
- Location: 39.7542° N, 121.6064° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Paradise, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7542&lon=-121.6064&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27966/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA196

## Probable cause

THE POOR IN FLIGHT FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS BY THE PILOT AND THE PILOT'S IN FLIGHT DECISION NOT TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS WHICH CAUSED THE TOTAL FAILURE OF BOTH OF THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINES.  FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE FUEL STARVATION AND THE HIGH VEGETATION IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT ABOUT 20 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER.  HE TURNED THE LEFT FIREWALL MOUNTED ELECTRIC BOOST PUMP ON AND SELECTED LEFT AUX TANK. THE LEFT ENGINE REGAINED POWER.  HE SELECTED THE RIGHT ENGINE TO RIGHT AUX TANK.  AFTER 20-30 SECONDS BOTH ENGINES QUIT.  HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART EITHER ENGINE AND LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN HEAVY BRUSH AT ABOUT 40 KNOTS.  THE FAA REPORTED THE PILOT STATED THAT HE MISMANAGED THE FUEL, AND WAITED TOO LONG TO SWITCH TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12828](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12828), registered now, S/N 3023, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DORNIER DO-28
- Registry model: [Dornier DO28 A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/dornier-do28-a-1) (registry code 2990102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3023
- Airframe hours: 3625
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brian Esler
- Registered owner: Brian Esler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 1992, 46 hours before
- Departed: SVE, SUSANVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; flight instructor, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18,570 total, 54 in this make and model, 16,500 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CIC, 15 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 19930502011359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930502011359A), May 2, 1993: Dorner DO28A1, Paradise, CA, Substantial damage. Ran main tanks dry. Waited too long to switch to aux tanks. Unable restart. Struck trees on 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.

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