LAX82FUG13

NTSB accident investigation · Beech 95-C55 · Ontario, CA · June 22, 1982

Accident · Serious injuriesFinal report
Date
June 21, 1982, 21:06 local (Jun 22, 1982, 04:06 UTC)
Place
Ontario, CA
Injuries
2 serious
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Enroute
Aircraft
N707JFBeech 95-C55
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
Status
Completed · report June 21, 1983
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19820621024179A
Case key
72094

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight encounter with weatherDescent - normal
Weather condition - cloudsFactor
Preflight planning/preparation - inadequatePilot in commandFactor
Lack of total instrument timePilot in command
Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanicalCruise
ImproperPilot in commandFactor
Gear retraction - delayedPilot in commandFactor
Weather condition - low ceilingFactor
ContinuedPilot in command
Fluid,fuel - starvationCause
Fuel supply - improper use ofPilot in commandCause
Forced landingLanding - flare/touchdown
Emergency procedure - improperPilot in commandCause
Propeller feathering - not performedPilot in commandCause
Wheels up landing - initiatedPilot in command
In flight collision with objectLanding - flare/touchdown
Light condition - dark nightFactor
Object - utility poleFactor
In flight collision with terrain/waterLanding - flare/touchdown

Analysis

While descending near banning, CA, the pilot lowered the gear after becoming aware of a popped circuit breaker. At the destination, there was an overcast with the tops at 4500 ft, so he diverted toward burbank, CA with the gear down. The overcast extended throughout the area, so he turned back to land at palm springs. While en route, the left engine lost power, but reportedly, it was not feathered, nor was the electric fuel boost pump activated. The pilot stated he repositioned the fuel selectors, but he could not recall to which positions. During the attempted restart, the plane descended into the overcast. The pilot throttled back and broke out at about 1700 ft MSL. Sometime during the descent, the gear was retracted. Subsequently, the left wing struck a light pole while landing wheels-up in a street at night. The plane slid about 550 ft to a stop and began burning. The right main tank still contained an estimated 10 to 15 gallons of fuel. The other fuel tanks were at or near empty. Later, both engines were started and performed normally.

Aircraft

Registration
N707JF
Reported as
Beech 95-C55
Category
Airplane
Serial number
TE 414
Airframe hours
2,500
Engine
Continental IO-520C, 285 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Fire
On-Ground
Flight
Business · Part 91
Operator
Robert E. Fawcett
Registered owner
Robert E. Fawcett
Departed
Phoenix, AZ
Destination
La Verne, CA

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
52
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Flight hours
2,570 total · 157 in this make and model · 2,500 as pilot in command · 22 in the last 90 days · 2 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
Wind
240° at 7 knots
Visibility
3 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
1,200 ft overcast
Temperature
153 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.