# NTSB LAX95LA245: Piper PA-46-350P, N243CV, Van Nuys, CA, July 11, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 10, 1995, 19:22 local (Jul 11, 1995, 02:22 UTC) - Place: Van Nuys, CA - Coordinates: 34.149745, -118.489784 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1497&lon=-118.4898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29146 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29146/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA245 ## Probable cause fuel starvation resulting from the failure of the pilot to properly configure the fuel selector to a tank containing fuel during the landing approach. ## 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 - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - not selected, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis THE PILOT SAID HE FAILED TO SWITCH THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE FULLEST TANK DURING THE BEFORE LANDING CHECK. THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH AND LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY OFF THE AIRPORT. ## Factual narrative On July 10, 1995, at 1922 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-46-350P, N243CV, lost power and collided with a tree short of runway 34L at Van Nuys Airport, Van Nuys, California. The airplane was destroyed. The certificated private pilot/owner received minor injuries. The flight originated at Camarillo Airport, Camarillo, California, about 1800 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot said he departed Camarillo airport with both fuel quantity indicators displaying about 30 gallons of fuel in each wing. The pilot had planned to fly direct to the Van Nuys airport and the quantity in one tank was sufficient to complete the flight. Shortly after the takeoff, the pilot changed his mind and elected to fly to Oxnard, California, and accomplish a few practice instrument approaches in preparation for an upcoming airplane instrument rating flight check. After the instrument approach, the pilot flew direct to the Van Nuys airport. The pilot heard the engine skip while turning final after accomplishing the before landing check. The pilot immediately switched the fuel selector valve from the left tank to the right tank. Engine power was not restored. The airplane was examined at the accident site by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The right wing separated as a result of the collision with the tree. About 2 inches of fuel was observed in the separated right wing tank as it laid flat. There was no fuel found in the left wing tank. The pilot indicated in his accident report he failed to switch the fuel selector to the fullest tank during the before landing check. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N243CV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N243CV-1998-04-15), registration cancelled 1998-04-15, S/N 4622167 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46-350P - Registry model: [Piper PA 46-350P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-350p) (registry code 7104620) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46-22167 - Airframe hours: 200 - Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-AE2A 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gerald Alvin Niznick - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 19, 1995 - Departed: CMA, CAMARILLO, CA - Destination: VNY - Airport: VNY, Van Nuys, runway 34L, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 215 total, 189 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 7 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: VNY, 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 19950710017529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950710017529A), Jul 10, 1995: Piper PA46350P, Van Nuys, CA, Destroyed. Lost power on approach to vny. Struck tree short of runway. Selected fuel tank was empty. Other had minimal fuel. 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.