# NTSB LAX83FA012: Beech C-45H, N403SE, Taft, CA, October 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1982, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Taft, CA
- Location: 35.1267° N, 119.4242° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Taft, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1267&lon=-119.4242&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 14 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72779
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72779/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA012

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A LOCAL FLIGHT INVOLVING A PARACHUTE JUMPING ACTIVITY. IN ADDITION TO THE PILOT, THERE WERE 12 PARACHUTISTS AND AN OBSERVER ON BOARD. THE PILOT INITIATED HIS TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 18. A WITNESS STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED TO CLIMB POWER, FOLLOWED BY THE GEAR RETRACTION. REPORTEDLY, THE AIRCRAFT HAD CLIMBED TO ABOUT 150 FT AGL WHEN THE NOSE PITCHED UP, TH PLANE ROLLED TO THE LEFT AND THEN IT CRASHED IN A STEEP LEFT BANK, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOADED WELL BEYOND ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT AND AFT CG LIMITS. THE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON BOARD WAS NOT VERIFIED, BUT EVEN WITH NO FUEL, THE PLANE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT 580 LBS OVER THE MAXIMUM LIMIT. WITH 100 GALLONS, THE ESTIMATED GROSS WEIGHT WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT 9939 LBS WITH THE CG AT ABOUT 121 INCHES. THE MAXIMUM CERTIFICATED GROSS WEIGHT WAS 8750 LBS WITH AN AFT CG LIMIT OF 117.6 INCHES. EXTENSIVE GROUND FIRE DAMAGE, BUT NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N403SE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N403SE-1983-07-07), registration cancelled 1983-07-07, S/N AF701, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C-45H
- Registry model: [Beech C-45H](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-45h) (registry code 1151018) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AF-701
- Engines: P & W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Skydiving, Part 91
- Operator: M.H. Yarter
- Registered owner: M.H. Yarter
- Departed: TAFT, CA
- Destination: TAFT, CA
- Airport: Private Airport, runway 18, 3,300 × 50 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 160 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 24 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 19821017052929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821017052929A), Oct 17, 1982: Beech C45H, Taft, CA, Destroyed, 13 fatal. Over gross weight and behind CG. Pilot lost control after gear up on takeoff climb. No belt restraints for jumpers.

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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