# NTSB SEA86LA200: Piper PA-38, N9148A, Elko, NV, August 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1986, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Elko, NV
- Coordinates: 40.950653, -115.79026 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9507&lon=-115.7903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40469
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40469/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA200

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - undetermined (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause)

## Analysis

PLT EXECUTED FORCED LNDG FOLLOWING PWR LOSS ON INITIAL CLIMB. ACFT TANKS (16 GAL CAP EA) HAD BEEN TOPPED TWO HOURS PRIOR, FUEL RECEIPT SHOWS 16.6 ADDED, REFUELER RECALLED ABT 8 GALS ADDED PER TANK. PLT CHECKED VISUALLY AND ON GAGES DURING PREFLIGHT. POST-CRASH, OPERATOR REPORTED FINDING ONLY RESIDUAL FUEL FWD OF SELECTOR (ENGINE FUEL STARVATION), 16 GALS IN RT TANK, 3 GALS IN LEFT TANK, NO LEAKS IN FUEL SYSTEM. ENGINE TEST RUN NORMAL. REPORTED FACTS ARE IN CONFLICT REGARDING FULL FUEL AND FINDING OF 3 GALS IN LEFT TANK WITH NO LEAKAGE. ANALYSIS PROVIDES NO SCENARIO WHICH WILL FIT REPORTED FACTS, EVEN IF UNDETECTED POST-CRASH FUEL LEAK DRAINED LEFT TANK TO 3 GALS. EXTREME (9500 FT) DENS ATL APPARENTLY NOT A FACTOR. PWR LOSS DUE TO ENGINE FUEL STARVATION FOR UNDETERMINED REASON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9148A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9148A-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N 38-82A0101, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 82A0101
- Airframe hours: 1720
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen J. Hodges
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1986
- Destination: OGD, OGDEN, UT
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: EKO, Elko Muni, runway 23, 6,400 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 86 total, 70 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 109 °F, dew point 91 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EKO, 1 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 19860809038399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860809038399A), Aug 9, 1986: Piper PA38112, Elko, NV, Substantial damage. Forced landing following power loss on takeoff, impacted a bluff. No fuel found in strainer or fuel pump.

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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