# NTSB WPR10CA348: Piper PA-28-236, N8118A, Moreno Valley, CA, June 26, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 26, 2010, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Moreno Valley, CA - Coordinates: 33.938888, -117.224441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9389&lon=-117.2244&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 76610 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA348 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76610/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76610 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA348 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low ceiling](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 190 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that as he entered the vicinity of his destination airport, he decided the reduced visibility prohibited him from safely continuing. He opted to divert to an alternate airport to maintain visual conditions. While en route to the alternate airport, the fuel supply was exhausted and the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot initiated a forced landing into a field. The airplane collided with terrain during the landing, damaging the firewall. The pilot reported no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine. He further stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had a larger fuel reserve. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that as he entered the vicinity of his destination airport, he decided the reduced visibility prohibited him from safely continuing. He opted to divert to an alternate airport to maintain visual conditions. While en route to the alternate airport, the fuel supply was exhausted and the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot initiated a forced landing into a field. The airplane collided with terrain during the landing, damaging the firewall. The pilot reported no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine. He further stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had a larger fuel reserve. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8118A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8118A-2017-04-18), registration cancelled 2017-04-18, S/N 28-8011028, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8011028 - Airframe hours: 1473 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mackel Nealan - Registered owner: Mackel Nealan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 6, 2010, 10 hours before - Departed: KA20, Bullhead City, AZ - Destination: KAJO, Corona, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 5, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,692 total, 1,621 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KAJO, 21 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 20100626037839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100626037839A), Jun 26, 2010: Piper PA-28-236, Moreno Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Departed ifp (bullhead city, AZ) enroute ajo (corona, CA), encountered navigational error resulting in unplanned additional time enroute and fuel burn. Weather… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 23, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76610. 492 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 492 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333571&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.