NTSB Identification: LAX86LA046.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 30108.
Accident occurred Saturday, November 23, 1985 in TUSTIN, CA
Aircraft: PIPER PA-23-250, registration: N5353Y
Injuries: 1 Minor.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.THE PLT'S MECHANIC PERFORMED A PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTION OF THE ACFT. NO MALFUNCTIONS WERE DETECTED WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM, & THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE PLT THAT THE ACFT WAS OVERALL 'IN GOOD CONDITION.' LATER IN THE DAY THE PLT PURCHASED THE ACFT, & AFTER OBSERVING THAT ITS MAIN FUEL TANKS WERE VIRTUALLY FULL HE TOOK OFF. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, WITH FULL MAIN FUEL TANKS THE ACFT'S ENDURANCE WOULD BE 2.8 HRS. DURING THE FLIGHT THE PLT OBSERVED THE MAIN TANKS' FUEL GAUGES, & THEY INDICATED THE FUEL LEVEL TO BE AT 1/2 & 1/4 CAPACITY. 10 MIN LATER BOTH ENGINES LOST ALL POWER, & PLT MADE A FORCED LDG IN AN UNDERLYING SOFT FIELD. EXAM OF THE FUEL TANKS' BLADDERS REVEALED THAT SOME OF THE SNAP FASTENERS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE TOPS OF THE BLADDERS WERE EXCESSIVELY WEATHER CHECKED & HAD SHRUNK.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
FUEL SUPPLY..INADEQUATE..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
FUEL SYSTEM,TANK..FAILURE,PARTIAL
Contributing Factors
FLUID,FUEL..EXHAUSTION
Contributing Factors
MAINTENANCE,INSPECTION..INADEQUATE..OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL
Contributing Factors
ENGINE INSTRUMENTS,FUEL QUANTITY GAGE..FALSE INDICATION
Index for Nov1985 | Index of months