# NTSB SEA88LA182: Piper PA-24-260, N8765P, Bend, OR, September 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1988, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Bend, OR
- Coordinates: 44.259738, -121.219047 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2597&lon=-121.2190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40889
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40889/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA182

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - roll
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT APRX 1239 PDT, WHILE ON AN IFR X-COUNTRY FLT AT 14,000', THE ACFT ENCTRD ICING CONDS. DRG THE NEXT 1.4 HRS, THE PLT CHANGED ALTITUDE IN INCREMENTS, CLIMBING TO 17,000', THEN DESCENDING TO 11,000' TO AVOID ICING. AT APRX 1411 PDT, HE INDCD THE ENG HAD LOST POWER & SUBSEQUENTLY SAID THE PROP WAS WINDMILLING. AT THAT POINT, THE ACFT WAS STILL SOME 20 TO 30 MI FROM THE DESTN. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO AN ARPT. DRG AN EMERG LANDING, THE LEFT WING HIT A TREE & THE ACFT CRASHED. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND PSND TO FEED FROM THE RGT TANK, BUT THE RGT TANK HAD NO FUEL REMAINING. ONLY ABOUT 1 QUART OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE RGT AUX TANK. THE LEFT TANKS HAD RUPTURED & WERE EMPTY, BUT NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLING WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8765P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8765P-2013-10-24), registration cancelled 2013-10-24, S/N 24-4215, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4215
- Airframe hours: 2580
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lane Johnson
- Registered owner: Lane W. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RNO, CALDWELL, ID
- Destination: RDM, REDMOND, OR
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 750 total, 450 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Observed at: RDM, 20 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 19880919039169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880919039169A), Sep 19, 1988: Piper PA24260, Bend, OR, Destroyed. Out of fuel en route in clouds with airframe icing. Crashed in trees and rough terrain. Was on IFR flight plan.

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.