# NTSB LAX87FA257: Beech A60, N7485D, Santa Rosa, CA, July 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1987, 10:28 local (17:28 UTC)
- Place: Santa Rosa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.440956, -122.780433 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4410&lon=-122.7804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25409
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA257
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25409/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA257

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED ON FINAL APPROACH WHICH RESULTED INTHE AIRCRAFT STALLING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - pre-flight
  - fuel system,cap - not secured (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - siphoning (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PIC & HIS WIFE PLANNED A 30 MIN PLEASURE FLT TO LAKE TAHOE. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE THE PLT FAILED TO VISUALLY INSPECT THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE RT WING TANK. THE TANK WAS FULL. THE TANK'S CAP PROBABLY APPEARED TO BE SECURED WHEN, IN FACT, BECAUSE OF A UNIQUE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC, IT WAS MERELY RESTING ON TOP OF THE FILLER NECK. UPON TAKEOFF ROTATION THE CAP CAME OFF THE FILLER NECK & IT WAS FOLLOWED BY A FUEL SPRAY. THE PLT RESPONDED & STAYED IN A VERY LOW ALTITUDE & CLOSE-IN TRAFFIC PATTERN. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND IMMEDIATELY. HE LOST CONTROL DURING THE TURN TO FINAL, STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE PAVEMENT PRIOR TO REACHING THE THRESHOLD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7485D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7485D-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N P-165, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A60
- Registry model: [Beech A60](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a60) (registry code 1153604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-541 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-541-series) (registry code 41536, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P-165
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-541-E1C4 380 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gerlach, John
- Registered owner: Darline J. & J. Gerlach
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 1986
- Departed: SANTA ROSA, CA
- Destination: TVL, SO. LAKE TAHOE, CA
- Airport: 001, Santa Rosa Air Center, runway 16, 7,000 × 200 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,505 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STS, 6 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 19870707041939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870707041939A), Jul 7, 1987: Beech A60, Santa Rosa, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Failed to secure fuel cap prior takeoff. Losing fuel stalled and crashed on low steep turn returning to the runway.

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.