NONE · Piper PA-38-112 · 2004-04-08 · McKinleyville, CA, USA
Event
NTSB number
LAX04CA181
Event ID
20040508X00575
Type
Accident
Date
2004-04-08
Location
McKinleyville, CA, USA
Coordinates
40.966667, -124.099998
Injuries
Highest injury
NONE
Fatal
0
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
1
Total aboard
1
Aircraft
Make
Piper
Model
PA-38-112
Registration
N2609F
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
a loss of engine power due fuel exhaustion, which was caused by the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, inadequate in-flight fuel consumption calculations, and failure to divert to an alternate airport before the fuel situation became critical. Factors in the accident were the pilot becoming lost and disoriented during the flight and the flight instructor's incorrect interpretation of regulations, resulting in inadequate preflight planning.