# NTSB LAX95LA004: Piper PA-24-250, N8413P, San Jose, CA, October 11, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 11, 1994, 11:55 local (18:55 UTC) - Place: San Jose, CA - Coordinates: 37.329376, -121.830986 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3294&lon=-121.8310&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28958 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28958/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA004 ## Probable cause the pilot's mismanagement of the fuel system and his failure to select a tank containing fuel. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel supply - not selected, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN WHILE ATTEMPTING A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD NEAR THE REID-HILLVIEW AIRPORT. THE FORCED LANDING WAS PRECIPITATED BY A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE ON A 2-MILE FINAL APPROACH FOR RUNWAY 31R AT REID-HILLVIEW. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) INSPECTORS RESPONDED TO THE ACCIDENT SITE AND EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT. THE AUXILIARY FUEL TANKS WERE DRY OR NEARLY DRY. THE RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK WAS ALSO VOID OF FUEL, WHILE THE LEFT TANK WAS ABOUT 1/4 FULL. THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK. THE ENGINE WAS RUN UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF FAA INSPECTORS. DURING THE TEST, THE ENGINE STARTED EASILY AND OPERATED NORMALLY THROUGHOUT ITS NORMAL RANGE OF POWER. ## Factual narrative On October 11, 1994, at 1155 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA24- 250, N8413P, collided with terrain while attempting a forced landing in a field near the Reid-Hillview airport, San Jose, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a total loss of power while on a 2-mile final approach for runway 31R at Reid- Hillview. The aircraft was operated by Amelia Reid Aviation of San Jose, California, and was rented by the pilot for a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and included calm winds. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at the Reid-Hillview airport on the day of the accident at 1030 as a local area personal flight. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors responded to the accident site and examined the aircraft. The auxiliary fuel tanks were dry or nearly dry. The right main fuel tank was also void of fuel, while the left tank was about 1/4 full. The fuel selector valve was found positioned to the right main fuel tank. On October 27, 1994, the engine was run under the supervision of FAA inspectors. During the test, the engine started easily and operated normally throughout its normal range of power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8413P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8413P-2003-05-16), registration cancelled 2003-05-16, S/N 24-3667, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-3667 - Airframe hours: 5714 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A15D 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Amelia Reid Aviation - Registered owner: Amelia C. Reid - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Provisional (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1993, 76 hours before - Departed: RHV - Destination: RHV, CA - Airport: RHV, Reid Hillview, runway 31R, 3,100 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 281 total, 13 in this make and model, 166 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RHV, 1 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 19941011034289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941011034289A), Oct 11, 1994: Piper PA24250, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Fuel starvation on 2 mile final. Landed short. Fuel selector on empty tank. All empty except 1 quarter left tank. 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.