N6415P

On April 14, 1996, at 1200 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N6415P, operated by the pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power approaching the Santa Paula Airport, Santa Paula, California. The pilot made a forced landing in rough terrain west of runway 04. The airplane was substantially damaged. Neither the private pilot nor the passenger was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Van Nuys, California, at 1100.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration coordinator (FAA), the purpose of the flight was, in part, to purchase fuel at a discount. During the flight, no mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. While turning onto the base leg, between 700 and 800 feet above ground level, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot made a forced landing and collided with a knoll short of the runway.

Recovery personnel picked up the airplane and transported it to Rays Aircraft, at the Santa Paula Airport. They reported to the FAA that between 7 and 8 gallons of fuel were found upon draining the wings from the fuselage belly sump drain.

In the pilot's completed accident report, he reported having 44 gallons of fuel onboard upon takeoff from the Van Nuys Airport. On April 23, 1996, the National Transportation Safety Board requested that the pilot provide copies of documents showing the quantity of fuel onboard during the accident flight. During a May 9, 1996, telephone conversation with the pilot, the Safety Board was informed that no documents were available.

On May 14, 1996, the engine, with its attached airframe, was secured to a test bed. A temporary fuel supply line was attached, and the engine was started using the starter motor. Due to safety concerns, the engine was only run-up to partial power. According to the FAA certificated mechanic who conducted the test, normal engine temperatures and pressures were developed, and no discrepancies or malfunctions were observed.

According to the Piper Aircraft Corporation, when operating a PA-24-250 Commanche with a Lycoming O-540 engine, the nominal 75 percent power fuel consumption rate is about 14 gallons per hour.