# NTSB LAX84LA112: Beech H35, N5441D, Modesto, CA, December 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1983, 06:34 local (14:34 UTC)
- Place: Modesto, CA
- Location: 37.6258° N, 120.9544° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MODESTO CITY-COUNTY-HARRY SHAM FLD (MOD), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6258&lon=-120.9544&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24126
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24126/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA112

## 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)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation(other cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation(loss of consciousness), pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT TAXIED & INITIATED A TAKEOFF WITHOUT OBTAINING A CLEARANCE. THE TOWER CONTROLLER OBSERVED THE ACFT TAKE OFF, IMMEDIATELY TURN LEFT, THEN COLLIDE WITH A 10 FT DIRT BANK, LOCATED BETWEEN THE PARALLEL RWYS. AFTER HITTING THE DIRT BANK, THE ACFT SKIDDED ACROSS AN ADJOINING TAXIWAY BEFORE COMING TO REST. THE PLT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED & HOSPITALIZED. PRIOR TO EXPIRING ON 1/2/84 HE TOLD HIS WIFE THAT THE ENG QUIT DURING TAKEOFF & HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE TRYING TO RESTART THE ENG. HE REPORTEDLY SAID THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO SET THE ACFT DOWN ON A PARALLEL RWY. ALSO, HIS WIFE & A POLICE OFFICER STATED THE PLT TOLD THEM THAT HE 'BLACKED OUT' DURING THE TAKEOFF SEQUENCE. DURING AN EXAM OF THE  ACFT, THE MAIN FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. NO ENG MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. AUTOPSYREVEALED EVIDENCE OF A DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS WITH A PULMONARY EMBOLUS WITH GENERALIZED CEREBRAL ARTERIOSCEROSIS, CORONARRY ARTERIOSCLEROSIS, & ARTERIAL NEPHROSCLEROSIS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5441D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5441D-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N D-4952, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H35
- Registry model: [Beech H35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h35) (registry code 1151520) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D4952
- Airframe hours: 3001
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Murray Manufacturing Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 1983, 10 hours before
- Destination: BIL, BILLINGS, MT
- Airport: MOD, Modesto, runway 10R, 3,466 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOD

## 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 19831222063039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831222063039A), Dec 22, 1983: Beech H35, Modesto, CA, Destroyed. Took off without tower approval. Engine quit due to fuel selector on off. Pilot blacked out due to cardiac disease.

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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