# NTSB LAX82DA151: Beech V35B, N1573W, Terminal Island, CA, April 30, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1982, 17:00 local (Apr 30, 1982, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Terminal Island, CA
- Location: 33.7569° N, 118.2481° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Terminal Island, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7569&lon=-118.2481&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA151

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system - leak (cause)
- Fire, cruise
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - emergency
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND A MECHANIC WERE ON A FLIGHT TO TEST THE AIRCRAFT AFTER CHANGING THE MAGNETOS, SPARK PLUGS, AND IGNITION HARNESS. DURING THE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, BUT SMOOTHED OUT AFTER THE BOOST PUMP WAS SWITCHED ON. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE CABIN BECAME FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE MASTER SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF, AND AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. SMOKE WAS CLEARED FROM THE COCKPIT BY OPENING A SIDE WINDOW AND THE CABIN DOOR. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO GLIDE TO AN ABANDONED MILITARY STRIP; HOWEVER, HE HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE. THE PLANE STRUCK A CHAIN LINK FENCE AT THE APPROACH END OF THE FIELD DURING TOUCHDOWN. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT A FUEL LEAK OCCURRED AND THE FUEL WAS IGNITED BY THE HOT EXHAUST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1573W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1573W-2012-08-08), registration cancelled 2012-08-08, S/N D-9351, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35B
- Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D9351
- Airframe hours: 1500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: H. L. Mahieu
- Registered owner: H. L. Mahieu
- Departed: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA
- Destination: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,862 total, 4,210 in this make and model, 4,800 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles

## 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 19820429014989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820429014989A), Apr 29, 1982: Beech V35B, Terminal Island, CA, Substantial damage. Rough engine, smoke in cockpit. Shut down engine. Hit a fence trying for abandoned airport. Fuel leak on exhaust.

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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