# NTSB LAX82FA224: Beech H-18, N74JT, Fresno, CA, June 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1982, 18:56 local (Jun 19, 1982, 01:56 UTC)
- Place: Fresno, CA
- Coordinates: 36.640281, -119.909637 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6403&lon=-119.9096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70760
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70760/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA224

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - tie down - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not possible
- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

JUST AFTER LIFT-OFF FROM RWY 29R, THE ACFT BEGAN TO PITCH UP. AS THE PITCH-UP PROGRESSED, THE PLT APPLIED RIGHT AILERON & FULL RIGHT RUDDER. THE ACFT RESPONDED BY ROLLING TO THE RIGHT WITH THE NOSE FALLING THRU. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT WAS ABLE TO PULL OUT BEFORE THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND. IT COLLIDED WITH A 6 FT WIRE FENCE WHICH TORE OFF THE ENGINES & CAUSED THE ACFT TO ROTATE CLOCKWISE ON THE GROUND. CARGO IN THE ACFT WAS THROWN THRU THE SIDE OF THE FUSELAGE. THE PLT EXITED THE ACFT WITHOUT INJURY. THE ACFT IMMEDIATELY BURST INTO FLAMES & THE FUSELAGE WAS BADLY BURNED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT 2989 LBS OF FREIGHT PLUS A 359 LB MOTORCYCLE WERE BEING CARRIED BETWEEN BULKHEADS 5 & 11. THE BULKHEAD LOADS WERE LIMITED TO 450 LBS (5-8) & 300 LBS (8-10). THE MAX GROSS WEIGHT AT TAKEOFF WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 10,310 LBS. THE PLT REPORTED THAT NONE OF THE FREIGHT WAS TIED DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74JT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74JT-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N BA-639, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H-18
- Registry model: [Beech H-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h-18) (registry code 1151012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA-639
- Airframe hours: 6988
- Engines: P & W R-985-14B reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: West States Air Taxi
- Registered owner: West States Air Taxi
- Departed: FAT, FRESNO, CA
- Destination: LAX, LOS ANGELES, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FAT, Fresno Air Terminal, runway 29R, 9,218 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,767 total, 2,475 in this make and model, 3,636 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 192 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAT

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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