Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX91LA395

TEHACHAPI, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N8888P

PIPER PA-24-260

Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT KNOWING HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS TO REACH HIS DESTINATION. BUT HE WANTED TO RUN THEM DRY TO CHECK THE CALIBRATION ENROUTE FOR AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. BECAUSE OF HIS ALTITUDE, HE OVERFLEW HIS FIRST CHOICE FOR REFUELING, DURING WHICH TIME HIS FUEL QUANTITY INDICATION WAS ERRATIC. AS HE STARTED HIS LETDOWN FOR HIS SECOND CHOICE FOR LANDING HIS ENGINE QUIT. HE ATTEMPTED A LANDING IN A COW PASTURE AND COLLIDED WITH SMALL BERMS.

Probable Cause and Findings

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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