NTSB Factual Report

On July 10, 2000, at 1347 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N4209T, collided with obstructions during an off airport landing in Santa Maria, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a total loss of power during cruise. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the certificated private pilot and three passengers received minor injuries. The aircraft was being operated by the pilot/owner as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated from Concord Buchanan Field, Concord, California, about 1145, and was destined for the Santa Ynez Airport. It was the second leg of a flight that began earlier that day from the Reno, Nevada, International Airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.

The Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) reported the pilot having transmitted a change of plans en route at 1332. The pilot advised that the landing would now be at the Santa Maria Airport due to a low fuel state. A request for a tower frequency change was approved by ARTCC. At 1334, the pilot contacted the Santa Maria tower about 5 miles northwest of the airport with a request for landing instructions. He notified the tower that he thought the airplane was out of fuel, and that he did not have the airport in sight. At 2036, he then advised that the airplane "was completely out of fuel and did not think it would make the runway." The airplane landed near Inger and Sequoia streets, about 1 mile from the airport.

The airplane collided with a tree and wall of a residence collapsing the nose gear and damaging the right wing. Post crash photographs obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration inspector documented the wreckage and condition of the airplane. No breaches were noted in either of the two fuel tanks located in the wings. A deep semicircular impression was observed on the leading edge of the right wing. The left horizontal stabilizer had shown an impact feature and two tears on the front leading edge.

Records obtained in the investigation indicated that the airplane had been fueled to the tabs in Reno approximately 1 hour before the flight. According to Piper Aircraft, the tabs are filler neck indicators. They delineate (approximately) a 17-gallon quantity in each of the two 25-gallon tanks, and Piper designates two of the gallons as unusable. After receiving fuel, the airplane departed for Concord Buchanan Field, a distance of approximately 140 miles. It was approximately another 202 miles from Concord to Santa Maria, bringing the total to 342 nautical miles. On board were four passengers, a canine, and carryon baggage. According to the Santa Maria Police Officer who responded to the scene, the approximate combined weight of the passengers and canine was 635 pounds. Carryon items consisted of (6) duffle size bags with clothing and personal items inside.

The pilot stated in the accident report that he had 30 gallons aboard at the time of last departure. He told the Santa Maria police that he had topped off the fuel tanks in Reno. He said he made good time to Concord and figured to have around 3 hours of fuel aboard. He had estimated only 2 hours 15 minutes flight time to Santa Ynez. Upon reaching San Luis Obisbo, the fuel quantity indicators read 1/4 in the cockpit, which in his estimate, was enough to continue to his destination. The instruments then went to zero before the airplane reached Santa Maria. Fuel pressure was lost in the selected tank. The pilot switched tanks, and then lost pressure in the other one. An attempt to land in an open field was made, but the pilot reported not having enough altitude or speed.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to ensure that an adequate fuel supply was on board at last departure, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot's failure to refuel the airplane at the en route stop was also causal.