# NTSB LAX84FA073: Beech J-35, N8337D, Ontario, CA, November 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1983, 08:18 local (16:18 UTC)
- Place: Ontario, CA
- Coordinates: 34.02042, -117.579849 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0204&lon=-117.5798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23912/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA073

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT FORCED LANDED IN A VINEYARD WHERE THE NOSE GEAR DUG IN AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE FLT STATED THAT CLIMBING THROUGH 5000 FT MSL THE POWER WENT TO IDLE AND THEN TO ZERO. ALL FUEL TANKS WERE FILLED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE & THE LEFT MAIN TANK WAS SELECTED FOR TAKEOFF AND NEVER CHANGED. WATER WAS DRAINED FROM THE MAIN TANKS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED NO PRE-IMPACT FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS OF THE AIRCRAFT. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION SHOWED NO ENGINE POWER WAS BEING DEVELOPED AT IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8337D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH J-35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-5429
- Airframe hours: 3329
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clifford James Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 1983, 28 hours before
- Departed: L66, CORONA, CA
- Destination: PO6, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ
- Airport: ONT, Ontario, runway 26, 10,001 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 28 in this make and model, 234 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 3 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 19831125058939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831125058939A), Nov 25, 1983: Beech J35, Ontario, CA, Destroyed. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit during climb to cruise altitude.

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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