# NTSB LAX03LA082: Beech F35, N3361C, Middletown, CA, February 4, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 4, 2003, 07:55 local (15:55 UTC) - Place: Middletown, CA - Coordinates: 38.733333, -122.583335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7333&lon=-122.5833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56446 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56446/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56446 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA082 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain an adequate takeoff airspeed and failure to abort the takeoff when the lack of acceleration was apparent. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - fence - object - residence - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - short runway/landing area (contributing factor) - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane collided with a fence and a house during takeoff. The run-up was normal and he added power for takeoff on the 1,600-foot-long dirt runway. During the takeoff roll, one wheel drifted into softer dirt on the edge of the runway; as a result, the airplane slowed. The pilot maneuvered the airplane back to the runway and realized he was close to a barbed wire fence. He pulled back on the yoke but the main tires hit the top wire. Shortly thereafter, the airplane impacted a house. ## Factual narrative On February 4, 2003, about 0755 Pacific standard time, a Beech F35, N3361C, collided with a fence and a house during takeoff from a private dirt airstrip near Middleton, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal cross-country flight was en route to Ukiah, California. The pilot reported that he was flying to work from a 1,600-feet-long private, dirt strip. The run-up was normal and he added power for takeoff. During the takeoff roll, one wheel drifted into softer dirt on the edge of the runway; as a result, the airplane slowed. The pilot maneuvered the airplane back to the runway and realized he was close to a barbed wire fence. He pulled back on the yoke but the main tires hit the top wire. Shortly thereafter, the airplane impacted a house. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3361C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3361C-2003-05-22), registration cancelled 2003-05-22, S/N D-4028, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech F35 - Registry model: [Beech F35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f35) (registry code 1151514) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D4028 - Airframe hours: 5608 - Engines: Continental IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Daniel R. Leigh - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2002, 111 hours before - Departed: PVT, Middletown, CA - Destination: UKI, Ukiah, CA - Airport: PVT, Spooner Ranch, runway 9, 1,600 × 20 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 24, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 2,470 total, 450 in this make and model, 2,470 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KSTS, 21 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 20030204003539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030204003539A), Feb 4, 2003: Beech F35, Middletown, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot took off from Private runway in Middletown, CA. Aircraft veered off into soft dirt and ran through a fence and ran into the house. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56446. 312 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 312 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40177306&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.