# NTSB LAX84LA461: Beech A36, N2876W, Livermore, CA, August 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1984, 18:56 local (Aug 29, 1984, 01:56 UTC)
- Place: Livermore, CA
- Coordinates: 37.339874, -120.749328 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3399&lon=-120.7493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24387
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA461
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24387/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA461

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL TANKS DURING HIS PRE-FLT & ESTIMATED 10-20 GALS OF FUEL REMAINING IN BOTH THE LEFT & RIGHT TANKS. HE SAID THAT THE START, TAXI & RUN-UP WERE PERFORMED WHILE USING THE RIGHT RANK. HE REPORTED THAT THE RIGHT FUEL GAGE READING SUDDENLY WENT TO ZERO, BUT HE SUSPECTED A FAULTY FUEL GAGE READING. NEVERTHELESS, HE SAID HE SELECTED THE LEFT TANK FOR TAKEOFF. AFTER TAKING OFF, THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 200 FT AGL WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT SAID HE SWITCHED TO THE RIGHT TANK, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED, SO HE SWITCHED BACK TO THE LEFT TANK & LANDED GEAR DOWN IN AN ALFALFA FIELD. AN EXAM REVEALED THERE WAS 12 TO 15 GALLON REMAINING IN THE LEFT TANK. THE RIGHT TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY. NO PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2876W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2876W-1988-05-16), registration cancelled 1988-05-16, S/N E483 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-483
- Airframe hours: 1542
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gilbert E. Maines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 1983, 70 hours before
- Destination: TVL, S. LAKE TAHOE, CA
- Airport: LVK, Livermore Municipal, runway 25, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 996 total, 398 in this make and model, 796 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LVK, 1 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 19840828069699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840828069699A), Aug 28, 1984: Beech A36, Livermore, CA, Destroyed. Engine quit on takeoff climb. Crash landed trying to return. Indicates fuel selector on empty tank as the problem.

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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