# NTSB LAX85LA075: Beech V35B, N137TW, Oceano, CA, December 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1984, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Oceano, CA
- Coordinates: 35.039581, -120.619689 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0396&lon=-120.6197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24611
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24611/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA075

## 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)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING AFTER A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DURING THE TAKEOFF CLIMB & THE ACFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. IN A SUBSEQUENT CONVERSATION THE PLT STATED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS EITHER POSITIONED ON THE LEFT TIP TANK, OR IT WAS POSITIONED IN BETWEEN THE LEFT TIP & LEFT MAIN SELECTION POSITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N137TW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N137TW), registered now, S/N D-9631, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35B
- Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-9631
- Airframe hours: 1860
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Barbara And Roland Holmes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 21, 1984, 34 hours before
- Departed: L52, OCEANO, CA
- Destination: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 25,141 total, 110 in this make and model, 24,910 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19841216068809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841216068809A), Dec 16, 1984: Beech V35B, Oceano, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit after takeoff. Landed in field, rolled into a wire fence. Took off with fuel selector on auxiliary tank

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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