# NTSB Accident LAX04CA181
> **Piper PA-38-112** · 2004-04-08 · McKinleyville, CA, USA · NONE
## 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.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=LAX04CA181) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*