# NTSB LAX85LA113: Fairchild M-62C, N68444, Ballico, CA, January 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1985, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Ballico, CA
- Coordinates: 37.469699, -120.649925 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4697&lon=-120.6499&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): 24636
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24636/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA113

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system,line - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT THE CONCLUSION OF A LOCAL AERIAL APPLICATION FLT, ACFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING. EXAMINATON OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED A BROKEN FUEL FEED LINE AFT OF THE WOBBLE PUMP AND NO FUEL IN THE LINES OR COMPONENTS FORWARD OF THAT POINT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68444](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68444-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N 4593-AE, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD M-62C
- Registry model: [Fairchild M-62C(PT-23A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-m-62c-pt-23a) (registry code 3371630) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4593-AE
- Airframe hours: 4100
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ag Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 21, 1984, 2 hours before
- Departed: 015, TURLOCK, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 6,080 total, 270 in this make and model, 6,011 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MER, 9 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 19850110002239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850110002239A), Jan 10, 1985: Frchld M62C, Ballico, CA, Substantial damage. Lost engine power during cruise. Struck trees during landing in orchard. Fuel line aft of wobble pump broken.

## Other investigations on N68444 (2)

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.

- [NTSB OAK69A0003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK69A0003), Jul 16, 1968: Fairchild WM-62C (N68444), Crows Lndng, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK66F0027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK66F0027), Jul 22, 1965: Fairchild M62 (N68444), Westley, CA, substantial damage

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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