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LAX86LA327

1986-08-21 · COALINGA, California, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport CLG

N4831A has since been reassigned. It is now registered to a different aircraft (EXCALIBUR AIRCRAFT EXCALIBUR), which was not involved in this event.

Aircraft involved

Factual narrative

THE FLIGHT WAS A REPOSITIONING FLIGHT BACK TO THE AIRCRAFT'S HOME BASE AT THE CONCLUSION OF AN ON DEMAND AIR TAXI FLIGHT. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE DEPARTED WITHOUT VISUALLY CHECKING THE FUEL TANK LEVEL. THE PILOT SAID THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATED ONE HALF TANKS AND HE 'THOUGHT THE QUANTITY WAS SUFFICIENT TO COMPLETE THE RETURN FLIGHT.' ENROUTE, THE PILOT BECAME CONCERNED WITH THE FUEL STATE OF THE AIRCRAFT AND DIVERTED TO THE COALINGA AIRPORT. ON FINAL APPROACH THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE AIRCRAFT LANDED GEAR UP IN A PLOWED FIELD ABOUT 1 MILE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. INSPECTION FOUND THE FUEL SYSTEM INTACT AND A TOTAL OF BOUT 3 PINTS OF FUEL IN ALL OF THE FUEL TANKS. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1986_LAX86LA327.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.