# NTSB LAX87LA192: Beech 35-A33, N573T, Novato, CA, April 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1987, 13:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Novato, CA
- Coordinates: 38.10036, -122.630737 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1004&lon=-122.6307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25579
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25579/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA192

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - roll/run
  - electrical system - shorted (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - loss,partial (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF ATTEMPT BEFORE BECOMING AIRBORNE AT A POINT NEAR MIDFIELD ON THE 3360 FT RWY. HE RPTD SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT FROM AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OF UNRPTD ORIGIN. BOTH THE PLT AND THE PLT-RATED PAX THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO STOP ON THE REMAINING RWY, HOWEVER, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AFTER THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT LOST BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PLT MADE A SAFETY RECOMMENDATION WHICH INCLUDED 'INSPECT BRAKE PADS DURING PREFLIGHT, RELINE IF NOT WORKING PERFECTLY...'. THE PAX IN THE RIGHT SEAT REMARKED THAT THE PLT HAD FAILED TO PERFORM A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE ACFT BFR THE FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N573T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35-A33
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CD350
- Airframe hours: 2100
- Engines: CONTINENTAL I0-470 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ryan, Thomas J.
- Registered owner: Thomas J Ryan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 1987, 5 hours before
- Destination: SQL, SAN CARLOS, CA
- Airport: 056, Gnoss Field, runway 31, 3,360 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,088 total, 400 in this make and model, 1,828 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °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 19870422011489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870422011489A), Apr 22, 1987: Beech 35A33, Novato, CA, Substantial damage. Electrical short aborted takeoff. Loss of braking effectiveness. Executed a turn, ran off runway. Hit a ditch.

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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