# NTSB LAX99LA044: Piper PA-24-250, N8086P, Victorville, CA, December 5, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 5, 1998, 10:56 local (18:56 UTC) - Place: Victorville, CA - Location: 34.6236° N, 117.3742° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOGISTICS (VCV), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6236&lon=-117.3742&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45431 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45431/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA044 ## Probable cause Fuel starvation caused by the pilot's 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 - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - not selected, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - open field - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The aircraft collided with ground obstructions during a forced landing 2.5 miles short of the airport. The pilot was practicing an ILS instrument approach when he experienced engine failure, and was unsuccessful at restarting the engine. Upon retrieval of the aircraft, the right fuel tank was found empty, while the other tanks were full. The fuel selector valve was on the right tank. The fuel system was continuous and without leaks. ## Factual narrative On December 5, 1998, at 1056 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-24-250, N8086P, collided with ground obstructions during a forced landing 2.5 miles north of the Southern California International Airport, Victorville, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a total loss of engine power during a practice instrument approach to the airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The aircraft, owned and operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot, the sole occupant, incurred minor injuries. The flight originated from the Rialto, California, airport, with a planned stop at Apple Valley, California. The pilot departed Apple Valley Airport at 1045, and intended to practice instrument approaches at the Southern California Airport, prior to returning to Rialto. An officer from the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department interviewed the pilot after the accident. The pilot stated that before he took off from Rialto Airport, he preflighted the aircraft and found that one tank was a little low on fuel, and the other tanks were full. There were no discrepancies with the flight from Rialto to Apple Valley. After a brief stop, the pilot proceeded to Southern California International to practice ILS approaches; he was on a 10 to 15 mile DME arc when the engine stopped. The pilot stated he applied carburetor heat and switched fuel tanks; however, the engine did not restart prior to ground contact. The responding Sheriff's deputy examined the aircraft visually and found no evidence of fuel system leaks. Aircraft Recovery Services of Compton, California recovered the aircraft and reported that the right main fuel tank was empty. The right outboard left main, and left outboard tanks were full. The fuel selector valve was on the right main fuel tank. The fuel system was inspected and found to be continuous and there were no leaks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8086P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8086P-2000-03-30), registration cancelled 2000-03-30, S/N 24-3334 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-3334 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-AIDS 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas M. Cates - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1998, 55 hours before - Departed: APV, APPLE VALLEY, CA - Destination: VCV - Airport: VCV, Southern California Int, runway 35, 10,500 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,097 total, 1,027 in this make and model, 2,097 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: VCV, 2 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 19981205032809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981205032809A), Dec 5, 1998: Piper PA24, Victorville, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot was practicing ILS approaches, and the aircraft crashed short of rwy.(.19)on December 5, 1998, at 1056 hours pacific standard time, a Piper PA-24-250,… ## Other investigations on N8086P (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW66F0005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66F0005), Mar 8, 1965: Piper PA-24 (N8086P), Baton Rouge, LA, substantial damage 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.