# NTSB LAX85FA251: Beech A-36, N2022B, Hayward, CA, May 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1985, 12:32 local (19:32 UTC)
- Place: Hayward, CA
- Coordinates: 37.669269, -122.080657 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6693&lon=-122.0807&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): 24507
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA251
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24507/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA251

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,pump - failure,total (cause)
  - insufficient standards/requirements,manufacturer, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - aircraft performance,turn capability - exceeded (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE ATCT TAPES, 3 MINS ELAPSED BETWEEN THE TIME THE ACFT CALLED FOR TAXI FROM PARKING TO READY FOR TAKEOFF AT THE ACTIVE RWY. JUST AFTER LIFTOFF THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A 'MISSING' & 'BACKFIRING' ENGINE AS REPORTED BY WITNESSES. PLT RADIOED THE TOWER THAT HE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS, WAS RETURNING TO THE ARPT & 'MIGHT HAVE TO MAKE A 180.' AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL ON A CLOSE CROSSWIND LEG, WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT MAKE A TIGHT STEEPLY BANKED RT TURN TO LINE UP WITH A TAXIWAY JUST PRIOR TO THE ACFT ABRUPTLY PITCHING DOWN, ROLLING RT & IMPACTING ON GOLF COURSE FAIRWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP DID NOT WORK WHEN INSTALLED IN A TEST STAND. BOTH RUST & CORROSION DEPOSITS WERE FOUND IN THE PUMP & FUEL METERING UNITS. THE ACFT HAD ACCUMULATED 909 HRS IN 10 YRS TIME WITHOUT AN ENGINE OR COMPONENT OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2022B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A-36
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-733
- Airframe hours: 909
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bianchi And Sons Packing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 1984, 124 hours before
- Departed: HWD
- Destination: MCE, MERCED, CA
- Airport: HWD, Hayward Air Terminal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,493 total, 300 in this make and model, 2,590 as pilot in command, 74 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HWD

## 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 19850510016459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850510016459A), May 10, 1985: Beech A36, Hayward, CA, Destroyed. Power loss on takeoff. Stalled in steep bank turning back to runway. Fuel pump corroded, leaking fuel.

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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