# NTSB LAX83LA007: Beech A36TC, N66909, Santa Ana, CA, October 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1982, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Santa Ana, CA
- Coordinates: 33.709575, -117.870223 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7096&lon=-117.8702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72527
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72527/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA007

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fuel system,pump - output low
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER AFTER HE HAD RAISED THE GEAR DURING TAKEOFF. HE LOWERED THE NOSE TO AVOID A STALL AND LANDED GEAR-UP AT AND OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. REPORTEDLY, TOWER PERSONNEL OBSERVED BLACK SMOKE TRAILING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE COWLING. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER, A RATED PILOT, REPORTED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE NEEDLE WAS PEGGED TO THE HIGH LIMIT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL FLOW NEEDLE HAD GONE FROM THE 6 O'CLOCK POSITION (36 GPH) TO ABOUT THE 10 TO 11 O'CLOCK POSITION. THERE WAS A HISTORY OF FUEL PRESSURE DISCREPANCIES. THREE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENTS WERE DOCUMENTED IN THE AIRCRAFT LOGBOOKS. A CHECK OF THE FUEL PUMP REVEALED DISCREPANCIES IN THE FUEL PRESSURE AND FUEL FLOW, BUT THESE INVOLVED LOW OUTPUT RATHER THAN HIGH OUTPUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N66909 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36TC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: EA-49
- Airframe hours: 503
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-UB 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Crown Development Company
- Registered owner: Crown Development Company
- Departed: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Destination: OXR, OXNARD, CA
- Airport: SNA, John Wayne, runway 19, 5,700 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,914 total, 958 in this make and model, 2,584 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 165 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNA

## 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 19821003050369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821003050369A), Oct 3, 1982: Beech A36TC, Santa Ana, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Landed gear up off end of runway. Found defective fuel pump.

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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