# NTSB Accident LAX96FA229
> **Piper PA-24-250** · 1996-06-13 · BIG BEAR CITY, CA, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** LAX96FA229
- **Event ID:** 20001208X06019
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 1996-06-13
- **Location:** BIG BEAR CITY, CA, USA
- **Coordinates:** 34.229515, -116.860595
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 2
- **Serious:** 1
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 3
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Piper
- **Model:** PA-24-250
- **Registration:** N7280P
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAYL
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

improper preflight by the pilot, by failing to ensure that the fuel selector was positioned to an approved fuel tank with adequate fuel before takeoff; his failure to reposition the fuel selector (per emergency procedures) after the loss of engine power; and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the terrain.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=LAX96FA229) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*