Event LAX05LA183

Factual narrative

On May 20, 2005, about 1700 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N3004U, experienced a total loss of engine power near Avalon, California. The pilot attempted to make a forced landing on Catalina Airport's runway 22. While on a modified base leg approaching the airport, the airplane impacted the ground and came to rest short of the runway. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries, and the second passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was operated by the Long Beach Flying Club & Flight Academy, Long Beach, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Catalina about 1615. On May 24, 2005, the pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he believes both fuel tanks contained 17 gallons of fuel upon initiation of the personal sightseeing flight from the Long Beach Airport. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control personnel reported that N3004U took off at 1438, and departed Long Beach airspace at 1447. The pilot reported to the Safety Board investigator that after flying about 50 minutes he landed at the Catalina Airport. The pilot had lunch at the airport. Thereafter, the pilot and passengers returned to the rented airplane with the intent of flying back to Long Beach. The pilot did not indicate that he visually inspected the quantity of fuel in each fuel tank prior to taking off. The pilot stated that he believes the fuel gauges each registered about 1/2-full on takeoff. After cruising for a few minutes, the pilot arrived in the vicinity of Avalon. Suddenly, all engine power was lost, and the pilot observed that the right wing tank's fuel gauge registered "empty." The pilot stated that he repositioned the fuel selector to draw fuel from the left fuel tank, and the engine restarted. At this time, he headed toward the Catalina Airport and initiated a climb. The pilot reported that it was during this period he noticed the left fuel tank gauge registered 1/4-full, and thereafter it registered 1/8-full. Engine power was again lost and then restored two more times. Finally, on approach to the airport, all engine power was lost for the last time. The pilot indicated that during the flight he experienced fuel exhaustion. The airplane's owner provided the Safety Board investigator with fueling records and related information. According to the owner, when the accident pilot departed Long Beach the airplane had previously been operated 2.1 hours since its last refueling to the level of the filler neck 17-gallon indicator tabs. Post crash, the airplane's recording hour meter registered that the pilot had flown for 1.4 hours. The owner opined that the airplane had been operated a total of 3.5 hours since its last refueling, and the pilot had experienced fuel exhaustion. The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight and impacted the ground during the ensuing forced landing. The pilot had flown from Long Beach to Catalina, whereupon he had lunch. The pilot said he believed he had 17 gallons in each tank when he left Long Beach. The pilot did not refuel the airplane at Catalina and did not visually verify the quantity of fuel in the airplane's two wing fuel tanks before taking off. After flying for several minutes, the engine lost power. The pilot noted one fuel tank gauge registered "empty," and the other gauge registered 1/4- and then 1/8-tank of fuel remaining. Engine power was briefly restored, and then it was finally completely lost. The pilot attempted a forced landing on the runway, but impacted the ground before reaching it. According to the aircraft rental firm's records, when the accident pilot departed Long Beach the airplane had previously been operated 2.1 hours since its last refueling to the level of the filler neck 17-gallon indicator tabs. Post crash, the airplane's recording hour meter registered that the pilot had flown for 1.4 hours for a combined total of 3.5 hours since last refueling. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12