Piper PA-32RT-300 accident near Vallejo, California, April 26, 1992
On April 26, 1992 at about 7:17 pm local time, a Piper PA-32RT-300, registered N31557, was substantially damaged in an accident near Vallejo, California. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
WAS THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL SERVO DIAPHRAGM STEM WHICH RESULTED IN A FUEL INTERRUPTION TO THE ENGINE. HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS AND UTILITY POLE IN THE FORCED LANDING AREA WERE FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 26, 1992 · about 7:17 pm local time
- Place
- Vallejo, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32RT-300 PA-32RT-30 · all PA-32RT-300s on the register
- Registration
- N31557 · no longer on the register · serial 32R7885102
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOTS WERE CONDUCTING AN OBSERVATION FLIGHT OVER THE NORTHEAST END OF THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY WHEN THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOTS WERE UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND TURNED TOWARDS A ROADWAY NORTH OF THE BAY TO LAND. THE AIRPLANE LANDED SHORT OF THE SELECTED LANDING AREA AND STRUCK A FENCE AND A UTILITY POLE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL INJECTOR SERVO AFTER THE ACCIDENT DISCLOSED THAT THE FUEL CONTROL DIAPHRAGM STEM FAILED INTERRUPTING THE FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,116 hours in all; 34 in this make and model; 37 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 986 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,918 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 7, 1991; 78 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LVK Livermore CA at 5:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 15,000 ft; scat at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:45 pm from APC, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.