Piper PA-32R-301T accident near Shafter, California, July 16, 1992
On July 16, 1992 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-32R-301T, registered N327PL, was substantially damaged in an accident near Shafter, California. It was a business 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
THE PIC'S POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND THE PIC'S AND FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR/PASSENGER'S FAILURE TO USE THE EMERGENCY CHECKLIST. THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 16, 1992 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Shafter, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-301T PA-32R-301 · all PA-32R-301Ts on the register
- Registration
- N327PL · registry record · serial 32R-8229011
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
AFTER APPROXIMATELY FORTY MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT AND WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS 8,000 FEET ABOVE THE TERRAIN, THE ENGINE FAILED AFTER THE PILOT CHANGED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE RIGHT FUEL TANK TO THE LEFT FUEL TANK. THE PILOT AND CFI PASSENGER FAILED TO USE THE EMERGENCY CHECKLIST AND WERE UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN AN APPLE ORCHARD. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY FUEL IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK. THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY DURING THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION.
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: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 500 hours in all; 150 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,889 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 1992; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VNY Van Nuys CA at 2:30 pm
- Destination: VIS Visalia CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.