# NTSB LAX79FA043: Beech A-36, N821V, Needles, CA, June 18, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: June 18, 1979
- Place: Needles, CA · NEEDLES, CA
- Location: 34.8136° N, 114.6266° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Needles, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8136&lon=-114.6266&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135332
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79FA043
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA043

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1805  79/6/18    NEEDLES,CA          BEECH A-36          CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 51, 1300
        TIME - 0200                    N821V               PX-  0  1  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 250 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PAGE,AZ                     PALM SPRINGS,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- R FUEL TANK CONTAINED 25GAL,L TANK 8OZS,FUEL SEL ON L TANK.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N821V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N821V), registered now, S/N E-1100, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A-36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19790618022839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790618022839A), Jun 18, 1979: Beech A36, Needles, CA, Substantial damage. Engine failed at night. Found fuel selector on empty left tank. Right tank contained 25 gallons.

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.