# NTSB LAX85FA384: Beech A36TC, N3801Z, Carson, CA, September 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1985, 10:41 local (17:41 UTC)
- Place: Carson, CA
- Coordinates: 33.859294, -118.250808 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8593&lon=-118.2508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24532
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA384
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24532/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA384

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,fuel control - pressure excessive (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,calibration - inaccurate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT LOST PWR AT 1500 FT SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE FROM COMPTON, CA. THE PLT PERFORMED AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A DIRT ROAD AND THE ACFT CONTACTED A CONCRETE CURB. THE ENG HAD A BEECH MANDATORY SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 2033 COMPLETED THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT WHICH MODIFIED THE FUEL SYSTEM. TESTS OF THE VARIABLE ABSOLUTE PRESSURE CONTROLLER DISCLOSEDTHAT THE ALPHA ANGLE WAS SET AT 10 TO 11 DEGS OVER THE LIMITS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3801Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36TC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: EA-168
- Airframe hours: 457
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-UB 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Darrow C./Elizabeth J. Roundy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 1985, 19 hours before
- Departed: CPM, COMPTON, CA
- Destination: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 450 total, 432 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGB, 10 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 19850906043579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850906043579A), Sep 6, 1985: Beech A36TC, Carson, CA, Substantial damage. Lost fuel pressure, landed on construction site. Found throttle cable disconnected from fuel controller.

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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