# NTSB SEA86LA008: Piper PA-31-350, N35533, Panaca, NV, October 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1985, 18:30 local (Oct 13, 1985, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Panaca, NV
- Coordinates: 37.6795, -114.289413 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6795&lon=-114.2894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40319
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40319/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA008

## Analysis

A FORCED LANDING ONTO ROUGH TERRAIN WAS MADE DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, cruise
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35533](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35533-2000-04-05), registration cancelled 2000-04-05, S/N 31-8052047 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-8052047
- Airframe hours: 5973
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Laurence Similey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 17, 1985, 12 hours before
- Departed: ELK, ELKO, NV
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 14,000 total, 1,402 in this make and model, 13,700 as pilot in command, 169 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19851012054669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851012054669A), Oct 12, 1985: Piper PA31350, Panaca, NV, Substantial damage. Forced landing due to fuel exhaustion. No mechanical malfunctions found.

## Other investigations on N35533 (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB DEN99FA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99FA016), Oct 28, 1998: Piper PA-31-350 (N35533), Hayden, CO, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot not following instrument procedures and subsequently descended to minimums prematurely. Factors were the mountainous terrain and the falling snow.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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