# NTSB LAX87LA175: Beech C35, N271F, Vacaville, CA, April 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1987, 17:30 local (Apr 13, 1987, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Vacaville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.410964, -122.009407 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4110&lon=-122.0094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25563
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25563/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA175

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE HAD FLOWN THE ACFT THE DAY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT ON THE LEFT FUEL TANK ONLY.  NO FUEL HAD BEEN ADDED ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE PLT STATED THAT THE LEFT TANK WAS THREE QUARTERS FULL AND THE RIGHT TANK WAS FULL. THE PLT POSITIONED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE RIGHT FUEL TANK AND JUST AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 200 FT, THE ENGINE QUIT.  THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.  A FUEL LINE WAS BROKEN ON IMPACT AND THE EXACT AMOUNT OF FUEL ON BOARD IS UNKNOWN.  THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N271F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N271F-1989-03-15), registration cancelled 1989-03-15, S/N D3040 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C35
- Registry model: [Beech C35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c35) (registry code 1151508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-3040
- Airframe hours: 4586
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles A. Harris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 27, 1986
- Departed: 045, VACAVILLE, CA
- Airport: 045, Vacaville, runway 1, 3,800 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 937 total, 206 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUU, 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 19870412053279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870412053279A), Apr 12, 1987: Beech C35BEECH, Vacaville, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit after takeoff. Pilot had repositioned fuel selector and the exact amount of fuel onboard was unknown.

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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