# NTSB LAX82DA124: Beech D55, N792BR, Napa, CA, April 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1982, 11:22 local (19:22 UTC)
- Place: Napa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.550949, -122.150077 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5509&lon=-122.1501&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 April 3, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71824
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71824/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA124

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,fuel control - leak (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ROTATED THE AIRCRAFT AT ABOUT 90 KNOTS DURING TAKEOFF AND AT ABOUT 30 FEET AGL THE ENGINE LOST POWER. IT STARTED AGAIN BRIEFLY BUT THEN STOPPED AND AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE APPROXIMATELY 2000 FEET FROM THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 18R IN WET GRASS. A RUN-UP OF THE RIGHT ENGINE REVEALED A DRIPPING FUEL LEAK AT THE RIGHT END OF THE FUEL CONTROL SHAFT. THE LEVER WAS LOOSE AND CONTAINED NO BUSHING OR COTTER PIN. FUEL PRESSURE AT 2600 RPM WAS 12.5 LBS WITH A 1 1/2 INCH SOLID STREAM OF FUEL AT THE POINT OF THE LEAK. THE LEFT ENGINE SHOWED A FUEL PRESSURE OF 24 LBS AT 2600 RPM. AN ANNUAL/100 HOUR INSPECTION HAD BEEN COMPLETED APPROXIMATELY 9 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N792BR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N792BR-1986-08-25), registration cancelled 1986-08-25, S/N TE-697 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D55
- Registry model: [Beech D55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d55) (registry code 1152730) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE697
- Airframe hours: 2704
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Hugh Gardner
- Registered owner: Hugh Gardner
- Departed: APC, NAPA, CA
- Destination: REDDING, CA
- Airport: APC, Napa County, runway 18, 5,932 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,853 total, 235 in this make and model, 1,793 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APC

## 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 19820403007699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820403007699A), Apr 3, 1982: Beech D55, Napa, CA, Destroyed. Lost right engine on liftoff near VMC. Lost directional control. Aborted. Fuel leak at end of fuel control shaft.

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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