# NTSB LAX86FA085: Beech D-50, N666GK, Santa Rosa, CA, January 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1986, 17:15 local (Jan 9, 1986, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Santa Rosa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.390712, -122.749153 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3907&lon=-122.7492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24893
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24893/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA085

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - stall/spin - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PLT, WHO WAS THE MECHANIC FOR THE ACFT & WHO POSSESSES FAA INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION, WAS FAMILIAR WITH THIS ACFT AND HAD FLOWN IT THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT FAILED TO REFUEL THE ACFT AFTER MAKING TWO ADDITIONAL FLTS. THE MAIN FUEL TANK GAGES WERE REPORTEDLY ACCURATE. ON THE RETURN LEG OF THE PLT'S LAST FLT, AS THE ACFT APPROACHED THE DESTINATION ARPT, BOTH ENGINES LOST POWER. THE PLT TURNED THE ACFT TOWARD THE ARPT AND THE RIGHT ENG SUDDENLY OBTAINED FUEL AND MOMENTARILY PRODUCED POWER. THE ACFT WAS BELOW VMC AT THE TIME. THE ACFT ROLLED LEFT, ACQUIRED A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE AND CONTROL WAS LOST. THE ACFT THEN DESCENDED TO THE TERRAIN AND CRASHED ABOUT 1000 YARDS FROM THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N666GK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N666GK-2012-08-06), registration cancelled 2012-08-06, S/N DH-94, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D-50
- Registry model: [Beech D-50](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d-50) (registry code 1152512) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (registry code 41527, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: DH-94
- Airframe hours: 6229
- Engines: LYCOMING IGSO-540-A1A 380 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arleigh E. Roderick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1985, 83 hours before
- Departed: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Destination: 001, SANTA ROSA, CA
- Airport: 001, Santa Rosa Air Center

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °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 19860108000349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860108000349A), Jan 8, 1986: Beech D50, Santa Rosa, CA, Destroyed. The engines failed from fuel exhaustion and the aircraft reportedly spun into the ground.

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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