# NTSB LAX83LA210: Beech 77, N36986, Linden, CA, May 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1983, 16:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Linden, CA
- Coordinates: 38.050868, -121.030746 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0509&lon=-121.0307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23694
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23694/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA210

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CRUISING AT 3000 FEET BENEATH AN OVERCAST SKY WITH INTERMITTENT RAIN. THE CARB HEAT WAS OFF. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF FLIGHT THE RPM BEGAN TO SLOWLY DECREASE.THE PILOT BRIEFLY APPLIED CARB HEAT BUT AS THE RPM ONLY FLUCTUATED AND POWER WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY RETURNED HE DISCONTINUED USING IT. THE PILOT HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED CARBURETOR ICE. AS ALL POWER WAS BEING LOST THE PILOT BROADCAST MAYDAY AND BEGAN TO LOOK FOR A LANDING SPOT. AS POWER SHUT DWN WAS PROGRESSING SOME POWER RETURNED. THE ACFT WAS NURSED ALONG AT VERY LOW ALTITUDE AND FINALLY LANDED ON A ROCKY SLOPE AFTER OVERSHOOTING AN OPEN FIELD. AS ACFT DECELERATED ITS NOSE GEAR WAS TORN OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N36986 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 77
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: WA166
- Airframe hours: 750
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert O'Neil
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 14, 1982, 43 hours before
- Departed: 068, MARIPOSA, CA
- Destination: OVE, OROVILLE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 379 total, 158 in this make and model, 269 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SCK, 19 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 19830501016819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830501016819A), May 1, 1983: Beech 77, Linden, CA, Destroyed. Lost power en route. Crash landed. Possible carburetor icing problem. No engine defect found.

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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