# NTSB LAX86LA064: Cessna 335, N2708X, Yuba City, CA, December 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1985, 15:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Yuba City, CA
- Coordinates: 39.049293, -121.609939 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0493&lon=-121.6099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25036
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25036/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA064

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - checklist - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
- Fire, landing - roll

## Analysis

UPON COMPLETING A 35 MIN SIGHT-SEEING FLIGHT THE PLT ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN & PREPARED FOR LANDING. WHILE DESCENDING, BOTH ENGINES LOST ALL POWER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE REPOSITIONED THE FUEL SELECTORS TO THE AUX TANKS, POWER WAS RESTORED TO THE LEFT ENGINE, & THE ACFT 'STARTED A VMC ROLL TO THE RIGHT.' AT THE TIME THE ACFT WAS 300 FT AGL. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, THE PLT REDUCED PWR & THE ACFT DESCENDED INTO TERRAIN COMING TO REST 500 YDS FROM THE ARPT. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE LOSS OF ENG POWER RUSULTED FROM HIS IMPROPER FUEL MANAGEMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2708X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2708X-2012-09-20), registration cancelled 2012-09-20, S/N 335-0034, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 335
- Registry model: [Cessna 335](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-335) (registry code 2075601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 335-0034
- Airframe hours: 1148
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Didar S. Bains
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 052, YUBA CITY, CA
- Destination: 052, YUBA CITY, CA
- Airport: 052, Sutter Co, runway 35, 3,040 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 22 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19851211064119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851211064119A), Dec 11, 1985: Cessna 335, Yuba City, CA, Destroyed. Both engines quit on base leg. Landed in orchard. Unable to get a restart after switching to tanks with fuel.

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.