# NTSB DEN89LA194: Beech A36, N3077X, Santa Fe, NM, August 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1989, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Santa Fe, NM
- Coordinates: 35.73986, -105.85971 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7399&lon=-105.8597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17766
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17766/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA194

## Probable cause

IMPROPER USE OF THE MIXTURE CONTROL BY THE PILOT DURING TAKEOFF WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION.  ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN CONTRIBUTED TO THE AIRCRAFT DAMAGE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE LEANED THE MIXTURE PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 9300 FT. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND THE PILOT INCREASED THE MIXTURE TO FULL RICH. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON ROUGH, DESERT TERRAIN. THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL FOR THIS AIRCRAFT SPECIFIED THAT TAKEOFF SHOULD BE MADE WITH THE MIXTURE SET AT FULL RICH, REGARDLESS OF THE ALTITUDE, SINCE 'THE ENGINE-DRIVEN ALTITUDE COMPENSATING FUEL PUMP WILL AUTOMATICALLY LEAN ENGINE MIXTURE.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3077X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3077X-1992-02-20), registration cancelled 1992-02-20, S/N E2379 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-2379
- Airframe hours: 186
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Henry, Hunter W.
- Registered owner: Henry, Hunter W., Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 1989, 15 hours before
- Departed: SAF
- Destination: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Airport: SAF, Santa Fe Muni, runway 33, 6,304 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 457 total, 146 in this make and model, 331 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAF, 3 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890813028879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890813028879A), Aug 13, 1989: Beech A36, Santa Fe, NM, Substantial damage. Engine quit after high density altitude takeoff. Crash landed. Pilot leaned mixture in error. Auto mixture equipped

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.

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