# NTSB LAX83LA200: Beech E-18S, N4980V, Davis, CA, April 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1983, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Davis, CA
- Coordinates: 38.55072, -121.799728 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5507&lon=-121.7997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 13 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23686
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23686/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA200

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, unknown
  - fuel system,carburetor - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - leak (cause)
  - miscellaneous - fire (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE IN FLT ON A PARACHUTE JUMPING MISSION, A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE RIGHT ENG AREA & A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS MADE. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE FLOAT FULCRUM SCREW, PN 13773, ON THE STROMBERG CARBURETOR HAD BACKED OUT & ALLOWED FUEL TO ESCAPE INTO THE EXHAUST AREA. REPORTEDLY, THE SCREW HAD NOT BEEN SAFETY WIRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4980V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4980V-2018-01-19), registration cancelled 2018-01-19, S/N BA-156, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E-18S
- Registry model: [Beech E18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e18s) (registry code 1151006) (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-156
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert W. Metz
- Airport: 2QE, Yolo County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,270 total, 1,200 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19830416014729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830416014729A), Apr 16, 1983: Beech E18S, Davis, CA, Substantial damage. Inflight fire in right engine. Landed safely. Carburetor float fulcrum screw fell out. Fuel ignited by exhaust.

## Other investigations on N4980V (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW98LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA080), Dec 30, 1997: Beech E18S (N4980V), Dfw Airport, TX, minor damage. Probable cause: failure of the pilot in the 2nd airplane (N4980V) to see-and-avoid the standing airplane (N2069C). Related factors were: darkness, and inadequate (vague) instructions issued by the UPS ramp…

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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