# NTSB LAX01LA099: Beech 77, N18152, Auburn, CA, February 15, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 15, 2001, 09:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Auburn, CA - Coordinates: 38.954723, -121.082221 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9547&lon=-121.0822&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: WP-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 51736 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51736/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA099 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb due to the formation of carburetor ice. A contributing factor was the pilot's improper pretakeoff actions. A finding was that the improper rigging of the mixture control cable may have precluded establishment of the proper fuel/air combustion ratio. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause) - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) - mixture control,cable - misrouted ## Analysis Prior to taking off, the airplane sat for about 10 minutes near the approach end of the runway. The pilot indicated that during this time no carburetor heat was applied to the engine. Thereafter, when he commenced taking off, full engine power was not produced. The airplane climbed between 250 and 300 feet above the runway, descended and impacted trees, and then collided with terrain about 1,500 feet beyond the runway's departure end. The pilot indicated that the accident could have been prevented had he, before initiating his takeoff and while waiting for landing traffic, applied carburetor heat to the engine. At the time, the temperature and dew point were 9 and 1 degree Celsius, respectively. According to a standard reference icing probability chart, the atmospheric conditions were in the range considered favorable for carburetor ice formation. The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunctions or failures were experienced with the airplane. The engine was subsequently examined, and no evidence of any internal mechanical malfunction was noted. The mixture control cable was found improperly rigged. As a result, when the cockpit mixture control was set to the full rich position, the mixture control arm on the carburetor was between the midrange position and 2/3 of the way to the idle cutoff position. The significance of the incorrect rigging to the loss of engine power could not be established. ## Factual narrative On February 15, 2001, about 0945 hours Pacific standard time, a Beech 77, N18152, impacted trees and terrain during initial climb seconds after taking off from the Auburn Municipal Airport, Auburn, California. Sierra Nevada Flyers, Grass Valley, California, operated the airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local area flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot received minor injuries. The personal flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. In the pilot's completed report, he indicated that his private pilot certificate was obtained in a glider, and he held a student pilot certificate for airplanes. His last 90-day "proficiency check" was accomplished on December 21, 2000. Regarding the accident flight, the pilot stated that the airplane's engine lost power after climbing between 250 and 300 feet above the runway. Immediately thereafter, he made one emergency call on the common air traffic frequency and applied the engine's carburetor heat. The airplane descended into a woody area. The pilot also reported that no mechanical malfunctions or failures were experienced with the airplane. He indicated that the accident could have been prevented had he, before initiating his takeoff and while waiting for landing traffic, applied carburetor heat to the engine. The airport manager reported that the impact site was about 1,500 feet beyond the departure end of runway 07. The manager also reported that at 1000 local time, the airport's automated surface observing system (ASOS) indicated that the temperature and dew point were 9 and 1 degree Celsius, respectively. The manager estimated that the accident had occurred about 1005. The National Transportation Safety Board investigator notes that, according to a standard reference icing probability chart, the atmospheric conditions were in the range considered favorable for carburetor ice formation. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector reported that a witness had reported observing the airplane near the approach end of the runway for about 10 minutes before taking off. Thereafter, full engine power was not obtained during the takeoff roll. The FAA inspector examined the engine and accessories. In summary, the FAA inspector verbally reported to the Safety Board investigator that the engine's magnetos produced spark, and the impulse coupling functioned. The spark plugs appeared in the normal wear/coloration range. Compression was detected in all cylinders except number one, which was impact damaged. The induction system was devoid of foreign object blockage. The exhaust system was clear. The carburetor heat control was functional. Fuel was observed in the carburetor bowl. Additionally, the FAA reported finding evidence that the mixture control cable had received maintenance following an earlier breakage event. The FAA indicated that the current rigging of the mixture control cable was improper due to its engine mount attachment. When the cable was repaired or replaced, it had been improperly repositioned and then reconnected. As a result, when the cockpit mixture control was set to the full rich position, the mixture control arm on the carburetor was between the midrange position and 2/3 of the way to the idle cutoff position. Due to the cable's incorrect rigging, the proper fuel/air combustion ratio may not have been established. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18152](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18152-2001-06-13), registration cancelled 2001-06-13, S/N WA-286 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 77 - Registry model: [Beech 77](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-77) (registry code 1153007) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: WA-286 - Airframe hours: 4932 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sierra Nevada Flyers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 21, 2000, 31 hours before - Departed: AUN, AUBURN, CA - Destination: AUN, Auburn, CA - Airport: AUN, Auburn Municipal, runway 07, 3,100 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 192 total, 35 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: AUN ## 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 20010215005599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010215005599A), Feb 15, 2001: Beech 77, Auburn, CA, No damage. (-23) See attached inspectors statement. Operations coordination with inspector elie nasr from sacfsdo. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.