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NTSB Report
April 7, 1986 · Piper PA-23-250 · N555KS
Mesa, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 7, 1986
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (5 serious injuries)
Location
Mesa, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Tail Number
N555KS
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86FA167
WHILE ON THE FOURTH LEG OF AN IFR BUSINESS FLIGHT FROM STOW, OHIO TO SANTA PAULA, CALIFORNIA, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED FUEL EXHAUSTION AND CRASHED ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES NORTHEAST OF FALCON FIELD (FFZ), MESA, ARIZONA. THE FLIGHT WAS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE AUSPICIES OF KENT STATE UNIVERSITY'S FLIGHT DEPARTMENT. ALL OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE CERTIFICATED PILOTS, TWO OF WHICH WERE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS, INCLUDING THE UNIVERSITY'S DIRECTOR OF FLIGHT OPERATIONS/CHIEF FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. THE PIC OF THE ACCIDENT SEGMENT WAS A CERTIFICATED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. THE PIC NOTED ON THE FLIGHT PLAN AN ENROUTE FLIGHT TIME OF 4 HOURS, AND 5 HOURS TOTAL FUEL. THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY AIRPLANE PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. THE AIRPLANE'S BLOCK TIME WAS 4 HOURS AND 59 MINUTES.
Full Narrative
WHILE ON THE FOURTH LEG OF AN IFR BUSINESS FLIGHT FROM STOW, OHIO TO SANTA PAULA, CALIFORNIA, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED FUEL EXHAUSTION AND CRASHED ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES NORTHEAST OF FALCON FIELD (FFZ), MESA, ARIZONA. THE FLIGHT WAS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE AUSPICIES OF KENT STATE UNIVERSITY'S FLIGHT DEPARTMENT. ALL OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE CERTIFICATED PILOTS, TWO OF WHICH WERE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS, INCLUDING THE UNIVERSITY'S DIRECTOR OF FLIGHT OPERATIONS/CHIEF FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. THE PIC OF THE ACCIDENT SEGMENT WAS A CERTIFICATED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. THE PIC NOTED ON THE FLIGHT PLAN AN ENROUTE FLIGHT TIME OF 4 HOURS, AND 5 HOURS TOTAL FUEL. THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY AIRPLANE PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. THE AIRPLANE'S BLOCK TIME WAS 4 HOURS AND 59 MINUTES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time02:28 MST
Nearest AirportFalcon Field (3nm NE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVfif
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-23-250
Tail NumberN555KS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-C4B5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary5 injuries (5 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious5
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 22 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind240° @ 9 kt
Visibility35 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time08:49
Weather SourceWFAC