NTSB Factual Report

On July 28, 2001, at 0038 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-150 single engine airplane, N5346W, impacted a wire and terrain following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near the Hesperia Airport, Hesperia, California. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, received serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Redding, California, and was originally destined for Upland, California. Upon arriving at Upland, the pilot was unable to land due to poor visibility, so he diverted to Hesperia.

According to the San Bernardino Sheriff Department Deputy, who responded to the accident site, the pilot obtained a weather briefing from the flight service station at 1908, and filed a flight plan, advising them he had 5 hours 20 minutes of fuel on board, and he planned on a total of 4 hours 45 minutes for his route of flight. The accident flight departed Redding at 1938, after topping off the fuel tanks. At 2330, the pilot made several attempts to land at Cable Airport (Upland), but was unsuccessful due to "poor visibility." The pilot elected to fly to Hesperia to land.

The sheriff's deputy interviewed the pilot, and was told that he circled the Cable Airport two or three times but was unable to locate the runway due to poor visibility. He then called the Riverside Flight Service Station and informed them he was diverting to Hesperia. Once he arrived at the Hesperia airport, the pilot illuminated the pilot controlled runway lighting and they stayed illuminated for approximately 5 minutes. The pilot then utilized his global positioning system to navigate around the airport in an attempt to locate the runway. He told the deputy he attempted to reilluminate the lights but was unsuccessful. The pilot was aware he was running low on fuel and descended closer to the ground in an attempt to find the runway. The engine lost power and the airplane then impacted a wire and terrain 0.6 miles west of the airport.

It should be noted that Hesperia is approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Upland; however, there were two airports within 5 nautical miles from Upland, and five more that are within 15 nautical miles of Upland. Four of those airports had continuous runway lighting.

According to the flight service station, the reported weather at the Ontario International Airport (5 miles southeast of Upland) at 2345, was visibility 6 statute miles in mist, with overcast clouds at 1,300 feet agl. The pilot told the sheriff's deputy he was unable to locate the Ontario International Airport when he was near Upland.

On August 31, 2001, the sheriff's deputy flew approximately 0.6 miles west of the Hesperia airport and attempted to activate the pilot controlled lighting. After several attempts from various locations, he was unable to illuminate the lights. The sheriff's deputy noticed the airport beacon was functioning properly, but was unable to detect any lights on or near the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion while maneuvering in an attempt to locate the runway. Contributing factors were the inadequate runway maintenance that resulted in inoperative runway edge lights, and the night light conditions.