# NTSB SEA85FA198: Piper PA-31-350, N27476, Sparks, NV, August 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1985, 22:47 local (Aug 16, 1985, 05:47 UTC)
- Place: Sparks, NV
- Coordinates: 39.540069, -119.7509 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5401&lon=-119.7509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40058
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40058/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA198

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

ACFT EXHAUSTED FUEL ENROUTE TO DESTINATION DURING CROSS COUN TRY NIGHT FLGT. PLT ADVISED ATCT OF LOSS OF ENGINES ABOUT 20 MILES OUT. PLT MADE DEADSTICK LANDING ON HWY, STRUCK BRIDGE DIVIDER. NO FIRE OR REPORTED INJURES. INSPECTION DISCLOSED DRY FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N27476 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 317852022
- Airframe hours: 1926
- Engines: LYCOMING T10540J2VD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: William Hutt, doing business as Viking Aviation
- Registered owner: Desert Leasing, Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 10, 1985, 40 hours before
- Departed: ELY, ELY, NV
- Destination: RNO, RENO, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,244 total, 105 in this make and model, 5,019 as pilot in command, 199 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 4 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 19850815073259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850815073259A), Aug 15, 1985: Piper PA31350, Sparks, NV, Destroyed. Fuel was exhausted on a night crosscountry flight. Landed gear up on a freeway.

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.