# NTSB LAX82FA085: Beech BE-95-C55, N491A, Huron, CA, February 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 24, 1982, 16:45 local (Feb 25, 1982, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Huron, CA
- Coordinates: 36.199512, -120.09069 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1995&lon=-120.0907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71131
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71131/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA085

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

FOLLOWING A BUSINESS TRIP THE PILOT DEPLANED TWO PASSENGERS AT A PRIVATE AIRPORT AND PROCEEDED TO TAKEOFF TO THE NORTH. WITNESSES JUDGED THE TAKEOFF RUN TO BE SHORT FOLLOWED BY A STEEP BANK AND CLIMB TO THE RIGHT. A MAXIMUM ESTIMATEDALTITUDE OF 250 FEET AGL WAS ATTAINED BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A FULL ROLL TO THE RIGHT AND PANCAKED INTO A PLOWED FIELD. THE LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS WERE NOT RAISED, NOR FOUND ON THE AUXILIARY TANK POSITIONS. MINIMAL QUANTITIES OF FUELWERE FOUND IN THE MAIN AND AUXILIARY TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N491A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N491A-1983-11-02), registration cancelled 1983-11-02, S/N TE295 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH BE-95-C55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-C55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-c55) (registry code 1152708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE-295
- Airframe hours: 1453
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C1 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Floyd J Harkness Co Inc
- Registered owner: Floyd J Harkness Co Inc
- Departed: HURON, CA
- Destination: FAT, FRESNO, CA
- Airport: runway 35, 2,700 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,050 total, 1,030 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Temperature: 138 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAT, 39 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 19820224005519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820224005519A), Feb 24, 1982: Beech 95C55, Huron, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft rolled to right and crashed immediately after takeoff. Minimum fuel found in tanks during investigation.

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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