# NTSB LAX85LA005: Beech H35, N3SE, Corning, CA, October 7, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1984, 13:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Corning, CA
- Coordinates: 39.919284, -122.280281 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9193&lon=-122.2803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24569
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24569/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA005

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,pump - erratic (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

PLT STATED HE DEPARTED SACRAMENTO EARLIER IN THE DAY WITH THE TIP TANKS EMPTY AND THE MAIN AND AUX FUEL TANKS FULL (APRX 57 GALLONS USABLE FUEL). HE STATED HE USED THE LEFT MAIN FUEL TANK FOR 35 MINUTES AND THEN SWITCHED TO THE RIGHT MAIN TANK FOR REMAINING 15 MINUTES TO REDDING. APRX 20 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTING REDDING, THE ENGINE QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED ON FREEWAY OVERPASS DURING WHICH LEFT WING CONTACTED A CEMENT GUARD RAIL. ACFT TRAVELED OFF OVERPASS ONTO A GRASS INCLINE. EXAMINATION REVEALED RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. LEFT MAIN, LEFT AUX AND RIGHT AUX TANKS WERE FULL. ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY REQUIRING A MANUALLY OPERATED PUMP TO START ENGINE. ONE TERMINAL WIRE FOUND LOOSE ON BOOST PUMP BREAKER SWITCH ALLOWING SWITCH TO FAIL UNDER LOAD CONDITIONS. NO OTHER MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3SE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D5137
- Airframe hours: 4310
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Standard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1984, 4 hours before
- Departed: RDD, REDDING, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,141 total, 220 in this make and model, 1,141 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RBL, 13 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 19841007057769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841007057769A), Oct 7, 1984: Beech H35, Corning, CA, Substantial damage. Ran tank dry, unable restart. Landed on overpass, left wing hit guard rail. Wire loose on boost pump switch.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.