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NTSB Report
April 15, 1983 · Piper PA-28-140 · N5985F
Oceana, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 15, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Oceana, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N5985F
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX83LA194
THE STUDENT PLT, A MEXICAN NATIONAL, WAS ON A SOLO X-COUNTRY FLT. HE REPORTED THAT HE COULD NOT LOCATE THE DESTINATION ARPT AT SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA. AFTER CIRCLING THE AREA, HE SAW THE OCEANA ARPT & STARTED TO LAND. WHILE ON FINAL APCH, THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A RESIDENTIAL TRAILER DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT FUEL TANK & THE RIGHT TANK WAS EMPTY. FUEL WAS STILL REMAINING IN THE LEFT TANK. THE STUDENT HAD MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE RIGHT TANK ABOUT 1/2 HOUR AFTER TAKEOFF & HAD NOT CHANGED ITS POSITION AFTER THAT.
Full Narrative
THE STUDENT PLT, A MEXICAN NATIONAL, WAS ON A SOLO X-COUNTRY FLT. HE REPORTED THAT HE COULD NOT LOCATE THE DESTINATION ARPT AT SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA. AFTER CIRCLING THE AREA, HE SAW THE OCEANA ARPT & STARTED TO LAND. WHILE ON FINAL APCH, THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A RESIDENTIAL TRAILER DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT FUEL TANK & THE RIGHT TANK WAS EMPTY. FUEL WAS STILL REMAINING IN THE LEFT TANK. THE STUDENT HAD MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE RIGHT TANK ABOUT 1/2 HOUR AFTER TAKEOFF & HAD NOT CHANGED ITS POSITION AFTER THAT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:14 PST
Nearest AirportOCEANO (1nm WNW)
Runway11
Runway Length2270 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN5985F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time11:00
Weather SourceWFAC