# NTSB LAX96LA170: Piper PA-24-250, N6415P, Santa Paula, CA, April 14, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 14, 1996, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Santa Paula, CA - Coordinates: 34.400604, -119.070693 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4006&lon=-119.0707&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29420 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA170 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29420/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA170 ## Probable cause fuel starvation due to the pilot's failure to monitor fuel tank quantities and to assure that the fuel tank selector was positioned to a tank containing adequate fuel. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis The pilot planned to fly from Van Nuys to Santa Paula to purchase fuel at a discount. He indicated that upon takeoff a total of 44 gallons of fuel were in the four fuel tanks. According to the pilot, during the flight no mechanical problems were experienced. Approaching Santa Paula, the engine lost all power, and the pilot made a forced landing. The airplane collided with rough terrain within 1 mile of the runway. Recovery personal picked up the airplane and reported finding between 7 and 8 gallons of fuel upon draining the wings from the fuselage belly sump drain. The engine was subsequently test run, and no discrepancies or malfunctions were observed. According to the Piper Aircraft Corp., the nominal 75 percent engine power fuel consumption rate is about 14 gallons per hour. ## Factual narrative On April 14, 1996, at 1200 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N6415P, operated by the pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power approaching the Santa Paula Airport, Santa Paula, California. The pilot made a forced landing in rough terrain west of runway 04. The airplane was substantially damaged. Neither the private pilot nor the passenger was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Van Nuys, California, at 1100. According to the Federal Aviation Administration coordinator (FAA), the purpose of the flight was, in part, to purchase fuel at a discount. During the flight, no mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. While turning onto the base leg, between 700 and 800 feet above ground level, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot made a forced landing and collided with a knoll short of the runway. Recovery personnel picked up the airplane and transported it to Rays Aircraft, at the Santa Paula Airport. They reported to the FAA that between 7 and 8 gallons of fuel were found upon draining the wings from the fuselage belly sump drain. In the pilot's completed accident report, he reported having 44 gallons of fuel onboard upon takeoff from the Van Nuys Airport. On April 23, 1996, the National Transportation Safety Board requested that the pilot provide copies of documents showing the quantity of fuel onboard during the accident flight. During a May 9, 1996, telephone conversation with the pilot, the Safety Board was informed that no documents were available. On May 14, 1996, the engine, with its attached airframe, was secured to a test bed. A temporary fuel supply line was attached, and the engine was started using the starter motor. Due to safety concerns, the engine was only run-up to partial power. According to the FAA certificated mechanic who conducted the test, normal engine temperatures and pressures were developed, and no discrepancies or malfunctions were observed. According to the Piper Aircraft Corporation, when operating a PA-24-250 Commanche with a Lycoming O-540 engine, the nominal 75 percent power fuel consumption rate is about 14 gallons per hour. ## Aircraft - Registration: N6415P (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24-250 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-1525 - Airframe hours: 4800 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Peter A. Perl - Registered owner: Mary May Perl, Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1995, 45 hours before - Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA - Destination: SZP - Airport: SZP, Santa Paula, runway 4, 2,650 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 548 total, 496 in this make and model, 364 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19960414007229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960414007229A), Apr 14, 1996: Piper PA24250, Santa Paula, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power on final. Impacted short. Only non usable fuel on board. Was flying to obtain discount fuel at szp. 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.