# NTSB LAX83LVG06: Beech G35, N4428D, Chico, CA, December 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1982, 15:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Chico, CA
- Coordinates: 39.740016, -121.830039 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7400&lon=-121.8300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70234
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LVG06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70234/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LVG06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - approach light/navaid (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A FLIGHT FROM ARCATA, CA TO SACRAMENTO, CA WITH EN ROUTE STOPS AT REDDING, RED BLUFF AND CHICO. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE WAS ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND AT CHICO, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK ELEMENTS OF THE LOCALIZER ANTENNA DURING A FORCED LANDING. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH TWO MAIN FUEL TANKS AND TWO AUXILIARY TANKS. THE AUXILIARY TANKS WERE PLACARDED FOR USE IN LEVEL FLIGHT ONLY. THE RIGHT MAIN TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY, THE LEFT MAIN WAS ABOUT 1/4 FULL. THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS UNABLE TO REMEMBER WHICH FUEL TANK WAS BEING USED DURING THE APPROACH. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE "OFF" POSITION. THE ENGINE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY GIVEN A TEST RUN AND OPERATED NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4428D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH G35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D4551
- Airframe hours: 4936
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John F. Pixton
- Registered owner: John F. Pixton
- Departed: RBL, REO BLUFF
- Destination: CIC, CHICAGO, CA
- Airport: CIC, Chico Municipal, runway 31, 6,724 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,056 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 2,970 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Observed at: 30 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 19821229065039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821229065039A), Dec 29, 1982: Beech G35, Chico, CA, Substantial damage. Ran a fuel tank dry on short final. Aircraft struck localizer antenna during attempt to glide to runway.

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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