# NTSB LAX85LA227: Beech A35, N585B, Truckee, CA, April 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1985, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Location: 39.3341° N, 120.1351° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from TRUCKEE-TAHOE (TRK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3341&lon=-120.1351&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24708
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24708/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA227

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT PERFORMED A GEAR-UP LANDING ON ROCKY TERRAIN AFTER THE ACFT WINDSHIELD BECAME COVERED WITH OIL AND THE ENG BEGANVIBRATING. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A 6 INCH CRACK IN THE CRANKCASE NEAR WHERE THE #4 CYLINDER SHOULD HAVE BEEN LOCATED. HALF OF THE #4 PISTON WAS FOUND INSIDE THE ENG CASE AND THE OTHER HALF WAS NOT LOCATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N585B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N585B-1992-10-06), registration cancelled 1992-10-06, S/N D1604 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A35
- Registry model: [Beech A35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a35) (registry code 1151504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-1604
- Airframe hours: 4083
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Salvador Martinez
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 8, 1984, 6 hours before
- Departed: APC, NAPA, CA
- Destination: RNO, RENO, NV
- Airport: TRK, Truckee

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,120 total, 900 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F
- Observed at: TRK

## 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 19850427051609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850427051609A), Apr 27, 1985: Beech A35, Truckee, CA, No damage. Total loss of engine power at cruise. Oil on windshield. Landed short of runway gear up. Number 1 cylinder failed.

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.