Piper PA-24-250 accident near Las Vegas, Nevada, June 29, 1990
On June 29, 1990 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Piper PA-24-250, registered N6452P, was substantially damaged in an accident near Las Vegas, Nevada (Mccarran airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER CHECK OF THE FUEL WITH A DIPSTICK BEFORE TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 1990 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Las Vegas, Nevada · Mccarran · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-24-250 · all PA-24-250s on the register
- Registration
- N6452P · no longer on the register · serial 24-1567
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A WHEELS-UP LANDING WAS MADE APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES SHORT OF THE DESTINATION AFTER THE PILOT DECLARED THAT HE WAS OUT OF FUEL. DURING PREFLIGHT, HE HAD USED A DIPSTICK TO CHECK THE FUEL QUANTITY. HOWEVER, HE HAD MISREAD THE DIPSTICK, SINCE THE AIRCRAFT WAS PARKED TAIL-LOW ON AN INCLINE.
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: 1,541 hours in all; 34 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,608 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 1990; 48 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-A1C5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: U55 Panguitch UT at 8:30 pm
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 25, 12,636 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 109°F (43°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:50 pm from LAS, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.