# NTSB LAX86LA253: Hall Christen Eagle II, N41SH, Long Beach, CA, June 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1986, 16:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.809978, -118.180702 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8100&lon=-118.1807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25182
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA253
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25182/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA253

## 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 - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - dirty(foggy) (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING TOUCH & GO TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS ON RUNWAY 25R AT LONG BEACH INTERNATIONAL ARPT, LONG BEACH, CA, THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL ENGINE POWER LOSS. THE PIC WAS FLYING FROM THE REAR SEAT AND REPTD THE ACFT ALTITUDE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO RETURN TO LGB AND LAND ON RUNWAY 12 AND HE ELECTED TO LAND IN AN OPEN AREA ABOUT 1/4 MILE NORTHWEST OF THE ARPT. THE FRONT SEAT PLT/PASSENGER TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS BECAUSE HE COULD SEE THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA BETTER THAN THE PIC. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE ACFT NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK AFTER COLLIDENG WITH SOME RAILROAD TRACKS WHICH WERE PERPENDICULAR TO THE ACFT GND ROLL. BOTH CERTIFICATED AIRLINE TRANSPORT PLTS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. POST-IMPACT EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED THAT THE ACFT WAS OUT OF FUEL. THE EXAM FURTHER DISCLOSED THAT WHEN TWO GALLONS OF FUEL WERE ADDED IN THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL SIGHT GAUGE WAS NOT DISCERNABLE FROM THE FRONT SEAT COCKPIT. THE SIGHT GAUGE IS OPAQUE. FLT TIME WAS NOT REPORTED/UNAVAILABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41SH-1993-12-30), registration cancelled 1993-12-30, S/N 0001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HALL CHRISTEN EAGLE II
- Registry model: [Mar-Flite CHRISTIAN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/mar-flite-christian-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658FU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0001
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert I. Cepek
- Airport: LGB, Long Beach, runway 25R, 6,192 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 14 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGB, 25 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 19860606022069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860606022069A), Jun 6, 1986: Amtral EAGLE2, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power while on a touch and go landing. Hit train tracks and nosed over in a field. Indicates fuel exhaustion.

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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