# NTSB LAX95LA233: Piper PA-28-161, N8399T, Carmel Valley, CA, July 1, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 1995, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Carmel Valley, CA - Coordinates: 36.390323, -121.649765 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3903&lon=-121.6498&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report November 30, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29134 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA233 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29134/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA233 ## Probable cause fuel starvation due to the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation in that he failed to position the fuel selector to a tank known to contain fuel. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - not selected, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - wire,transmission ## Analysis WHILE IN THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB FOR A 10-MILE FLIGHT TO ANOTHER AIRPORT, THE PILOT PERCEIVED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND MANEUVERED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO REACH THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK POWER LINES WHILE TURNING TOWARDS THE AIRPORT. RESPONDING FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT THE RIGHT WING CONTAINED NO FUEL AND THE LEFT TANK CONTAINED VERY LITTLE FUEL. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND REPORTED THAT THE RIGHT WING FUEL TANK CONTAINED LESS THAN 1 GALLON, AND THE LEFT TANK CONTAINED ABOUT 5 GALLONS. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED BETWEEN THE LEFT AND RIGHT TANKS. HE ALSO REPORTED THAT NO FUEL WAS AVAILABLE AT THE CARMEL VALLEY AIRPORT. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 1995, at 0945 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA28-161, N8399T, struck power lines during an attempted return to airport maneuver at Carmel Valley Airport, Carmel Valley, California. The maneuver was initiated by the pilot because of a perceived loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb. The airplane was destroyed. The certificated private pilot and his passenger were seriously injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident for a destination of Monterey Peninsula Airport, Monterey, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to the pilot's written report, he stated that he performed a preflight inspection and that the aircraft had 7 gallons of fuel. After taking off and reaching an altitude of 450 feet agl, the airplane lost engine power. The pilot initiated an immediate right turn towards the airport. After completing the emergency checklist, the pilot realized that the airplane would not glide back to the airport. He then chose an area away from people and structures for an emergency landing. After landing, the pilot shut off the master switch and waited for emergency personnel. Responding fire department personnel reported that the right wing fuel tank contained no fuel. The left wing tank "contained very little fuel." A Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the San Jose, California, Flight Standards District Office, examined the aircraft. He reported that the amount of fuel in each tank was measured at less than 1 gallon in the right tank and about 5 gallons in the left. The fuel selector was found positioned between the left and right fuel tank. The inspector also reported that no fuel is available at the Carmel Valley Airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8399T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8399T-1998-09-16), registration cancelled 1998-09-16, S/N 288116246 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8116246 - Airframe hours: 2145 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert David Lamvik - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 1994, 80 hours before - Departed: O62 - Destination: MRY, MONTEREY, CA - Airport: O62, Carmel Valley, runway 29, 1,820 × 35 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 116 total, 37 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MRY, 10 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 19950701015999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950701015999A), Jul 1, 1995: Piper PA28161, Carmel Valley, CA, Destroyed. Lost power on climgout. Hit power lines trying to return. Short flight for fuel. Five gal one tank, other empty. 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.