# NTSB SEA85LA101: Piper PA-24-250, N5543, Bandon, OR, May 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1985, 18:36 local (May 3, 1985, 01:36 UTC)
- Place: Bandon, OR
- Coordinates: 43.050212, -124.360298 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0502&lon=-124.3603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40149
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40149/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA101

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FERRYING THE ACFT TO BANDON TO HAVE THE LANDING GEAR REPAIRED. THE FLT WAS MADE WITH THE GEAR SECURED IN THE DOWN POSITION. THE ACFT HAD LOCKING FUEL CAPS & THE PLT DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL LEVEL BEFORE TAKING OFF; INSTEAD, HE RELIED OF THE FUEL GAGES. DURING FLT, THE PLT USED FUEL FROM THE LEFT TANK THEN SWITCH TO THE RIGHT TANK WHICH INDICATED ABOUT 1/2 FULL. A SHORT TIME LATER, AS THE ACFT WAS APPROACHING THE DESTINATION ARPT, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING JUST SHORT OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5543 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-607
- Airframe hours: 2430
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dunes Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1984
- Departed: 6S2, FLORENCE, OR
- Destination: S05
- Airport: S05, Bandon State, runway 16, 2,600 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 10,354 total, 750 in this make and model, 10,250 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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.

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