# Accident 20120512009269A: Beech 3NM, Pope Valley, CA, May 12, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 12, 2012, 12:30 local time
- Place: Pope Valley, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Rotation
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.6108° N, 122.3914° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6108&lon=-122.3914&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9540, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9540) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Beech 3NM (registry code 1151044, https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-3nm) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney R-985 series (registry code 52008, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 3NM
- Reported engine: P&W R-985 SERIES
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR12LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA201) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120512009269A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

DURING THE TAKE OFF ROLL, AFTER ROTATION AND A FEW FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, PILOT LOST POWER ON RIGHT ENGINE WHICH WAS CONFIRMED BY MECHANIC SITTING IN RIGHT SEAT.  PILOT DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH RUNWAY TO LAND, HE DECIDED TO CRASH THE AIRCRAFT IN A VINEYARD STRAIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR12LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA201), May 12, 2012: Beech 3NM (N9540), Pope Valley, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of power in one engine during takeoff, which resulted in a forced landing in a vineyard. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined from the available evidence.

## Other reports on N9540 (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19880817054989I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880817054989I), Aug 17, 1988: Beech 3NM (N9540), Kenai, AK, Minor damage. Tail gear collapsed on rollout. Found tail gear retract chain had broken. Aircraft flown to anc for repairs.
- [Accident 19841016060619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841016060619A), Oct 16, 1984: Beech 3NM (N9540), Selawik, AK, Substantial damage. Failed to extend gear for landing after straight in approach on short airstrip.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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