# NTSB LAX81FVM20: Beech A35, N8683A, Palo Alto, CA, May 3, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 3, 1981
- Place: Palo Alto, CA · PALO ALTO, CA
- Location: 37.3965° N, 122.1431° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palo Alto, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3965&lon=-122.1431&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126262
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FVM20
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVM20

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0898   81/5/3    PALO ALTO,CA        BEECH A35           CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1520                    N8683A              PX-  0  0  0  TEST                      45, 2673 TOTAL HOURS, 53
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PALO ALTO
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WALNUT GROVE,CA             PALO ALTO,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INATTENTIVE TO FUEL SUPPLY
           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 EMPTY,L TANK 1/2 FULL,FUEL SUMP UNDER SELECTOR VALVE EMPTY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8683A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8683A-2013-10-31), registration cancelled 2013-10-31, S/N D-2093, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A35
- Registry model: [Beech A35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a35) (registry code 1151504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Palo Alto

## 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 19810503021169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810503021169A), May 3, 1981: Beech 3533, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot maimanaged fuel system & engine quit on downwind leg in pattern. Aircraft too low & unable to make runway.

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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