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NTSB Report
December 3, 1992 · Piper PA-28-140 · N5405S
Lost Hills, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 3, 1992
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Location
Lost Hills, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N5405S
Operator
Hixson Robert W
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX93LA059
THE FLIGHT DEPARTED WITH 10 GALLONS OF FUEL TOWARD A MOUNTAINOUS AREA DURING A DARK NIGHT. WHILE ENROUTE THE PILOT BECAME LOST AND DISORIENTED. HE CONTACTED THE TRACON AND REPORTED A LOW FUEL STATE. THE CONTROLLER VECTORED THE FLIGHT TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT. THE PILOT COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE AIRPORT OR TURN ON THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WHILE CIRCLING OVER THE AIRPORT. IN AN ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT DESCENDED TOWARD THE AIRPORT. DURING THE DESCENT THE AIRPLANE STRUCK SOME POWER LINES. THERE WAS NO POST IMPACT FIRE ALTHOUGH THE TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED BURNS ON THEIR ARMS FROM THE SEVERED POWER LINES. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RUNWAY LIGHTS ACTIVATED NORMALLY BY CLICKING THE MICROPHONE USING THE COMMON TRAFFIC ADVISORY FREQUENCY AS INDICATED IN THE AIRPORT/FACILITY DIRECTORY.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, POOR FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, AND DELAY IN EFFECTING ANY REMEDIAL ACTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY BECOMING LOST/DISORIENTED AND THE DARK NIGHT.
Full Narrative
THE FLIGHT DEPARTED WITH 10 GALLONS OF FUEL TOWARD A MOUNTAINOUS AREA DURING A DARK NIGHT. WHILE ENROUTE THE PILOT BECAME LOST AND DISORIENTED. HE CONTACTED THE TRACON AND REPORTED A LOW FUEL STATE. THE CONTROLLER VECTORED THE FLIGHT TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT. THE PILOT COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE AIRPORT OR TURN ON THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WHILE CIRCLING OVER THE AIRPORT. IN AN ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT DESCENDED TOWARD THE AIRPORT. DURING THE DESCENT THE AIRPLANE STRUCK SOME POWER LINES. THERE WAS NO POST IMPACT FIRE ALTHOUGH THE TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED BURNS ON THEIR ARMS FROM THE SEVERED POWER LINES. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RUNWAY LIGHTS ACTIVATED NORMALLY BY CLICKING THE MICROPHONE USING THE COMMON TRAFFIC ADVISORY FREQUENCY AS INDICATED IN THE AIRPORT/FACILITY DIRECTORY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:14 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN5405S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHixson Robert W
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind20° @ 9 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 14000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 34 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:23
Weather SourceWFAC