# NTSB LAX03LA120: Beech 19A, N7610R, Coalinga, CA, March 31, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 30, 2003, 18:16 local (Mar 31, 2003, 02:16 UTC) - Place: Coalinga, CA - Coordinates: 36.248054, -120.237777 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2481&lon=-120.2378&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56733 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56733/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA120 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to obtain/maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall/mush. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During the takeoff initial climb the airplane collided with terrain at the departure end of the runway. The pilot set 10 degrees of flaps for takeoff from the 2,820-foot runway. He rotated at 60 mph and once the airplane was airborne he noticed that the "aircraft was slow to climb." He leveled the nose, and gradually raised the flaps. The airplane settled, collided with the ground, and came to rest just past the end of the runway in an onion field. The pilot said the aural stall warning was operating throughout the attempted climb out. The Beechcraft Musketeer Sport III, Model 19A, Owner's Manual states that there are 3 flap settings; 15 degrees, 25 degrees, and 35 degrees. It states the following takeoff procedure, "After the airplane breaks ground, lower the nose slightly and let the airplane accelerate to the desired climb speed." Additionally, takeoff speed for 15 degrees of flaps is 60 mph, and 75 mph for no flaps. No anomalies were found during a post accident test run of the engine. ## Factual narrative On March 30, 2003, at 1816 Pacific standard time, a Beech 19A, N7610R, collided with terrain at the departure end of runway 14 at Harris Ranch Airport, Coalinga, California, during the takeoff initial climb. The owner operated the flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and the passenger/owner were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he set 10 degrees of flaps for takeoff from the relatively short runway. He rotated at 60 mph, and once the airplane was airborne he noticed that the "aircraft was slow to climb." He leveled the nose and gradually raised the flaps. The airplane settled, collided with the ground, and came to rest just past the end of the runway in an onion field. The pilot said that the aural stall warning was operating throughout the attempted climb out. The Beechcraft Musketeer Sport III, Model 19A, Owner's Manual states that there are 3 flap settings; 15 degrees, 25 degrees, and 35 degrees. It states the following takeoff procedure, "After the airplane breaks ground, lower the nose slightly and let the airplane accelerate to the desired climb speed." Additionally, takeoff speed for 15 degrees of flaps is 60 mph, and 75 mph for no flaps. At the direction of the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge the airplane's engine was inspected and ran by a licensed airframe and power plant mechanic. The mechanic reported that the engine operated to what he would consider a normal level of performance. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7610R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7610R-2013-08-13), registration cancelled 2013-08-13, S/N MB-421, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 19A - Registry model: [Beech 19A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-19a) (registry code 1151214) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: MB421 - Airframe hours: 2970 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2C 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Francis Cummings - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 2002, 40 hours before - Departed: 3O8, Coalinga, CA - Destination: OAK, Oakland, CA - Airport: 3O8, Harris Ranch, runway 14, 2,820 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 6, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total, 3 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KFAT, 25 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 20030330003249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030330003249A), Mar 30, 2003: Beech 19A, Coalinga, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) At 1816 PST Mr. Slakey conducted a VFR take-off on runway 14 at Harris Ranch Airport, Coalinga, CA. According to the pilot (slakey) he used 10 degrees of… 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.