# NTSB SEA90LA118: Piper PA-24-250, N6452P, Las Vegas, NV, June 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1990, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.150501, -115.109313 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1505&lon=-115.1093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41226
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41226/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA118

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER CHECK OF THE FUEL WITH A DIPSTICK BEFORE TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

A WHEELS-UP LANDING WAS MADE APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES SHORT OF THE DESTINATION AFTER THE PILOT DECLARED THAT HE WAS OUT OF FUEL.  DURING PREFLIGHT, HE HAD USED A DIPSTICK TO CHECK THE FUEL QUANTITY.  HOWEVER, HE HAD MISREAD THE DIPSTICK, SINCE THE AIRCRAFT WAS PARKED TAIL-LOW ON AN INCLINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6452P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6452P-1992-02-11), registration cancelled 1992-02-11, S/N 241567 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1567
- Airframe hours: 3608
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1C5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald W. Morrill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1990, 48 hours before
- Departed: U55, PANGUITCH, UT
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LAS, Mccarran, runway 25, 12,636 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,541 total, 34 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 109 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 2 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 19900629023089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900629023089A), Jun 29, 1990: Piper PA24250, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel short of destination. Landed hard,gear up in open field. Had misread fuel dip stick prior to flight

## Other investigations on N6452P (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW68D0193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68D0193), Aug 27, 1967: Piper PA-24 (N6452P), Skiatook, OK, substantial damage

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.