# NTSB LAX88FA294: Beech A36TC, N1830R, Paradise, CA, August 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1988, 17:04 local (Aug 22, 1988, 00:04 UTC)
- Place: Paradise, CA
- Coordinates: 39.740501, -121.610816 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7405&lon=-121.6108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA294
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25856/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA294

## Probable cause

AN UNDETERMINED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S APPREHENSION IN UNDERTAKING THE APPROPRIATE EMERGENCY ACTIONS TO ATTEMPT AN AERIAL RESTART. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND INADEQUATE TRAINING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fuel system - blocked(partial)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training(emergency procedure(s)), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - gear extension - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ravine (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT SUSTAINED A LOSS OF ENG POWER WHILE THE PLT WAS LEVELING THE ACFT AT 9,500 FT. THE PLT STATED HE WAS AFRAID TO ATTEMPT AN AERIAL RESTART DUE TO FEAR OF DAMAGING THE ENG. THE PLT LOWERED THE LANDING GEAR AND THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ON A 60 DEG ROCKY SLOPE ABOUT 500 FT SHORT OF A FLAT GRAVEL AND MUD SAND BAR. THE PLT LACKED DOCUMENTED EMERG PROCEDURE TRAINING AND BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE FUEL INLET FITTING WAS PARTIALLY BLOCKED BY A MASS OF 'SLUDGE'; HOWEVER, THE BYPASS FITTING WAS UNRESTRICTED. NO OTHER FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WITH EITHER THE ENG OR ACFT WAS NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1830R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1830R-2000-10-27), registration cancelled 2000-10-27, S/N EA-256 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36TC
- Registry model: [Beech A36TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36tc) (registry code 1151603) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: EA256
- Airframe hours: 1057
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-UB 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert M. Penland
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 1987, 132 hours before
- Departed: O05, CHESTER, CA
- Destination: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Airport: Q88, Paradise, runway 17, 1,990 × 80 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 510 total, 89 in this make and model, 377 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CIC, 14 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 19880821034189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880821034189A), Aug 21, 1988: Beech A36TC, Paradise, CA, Destroyed. Lost power en route. Landed on canyon bank gear down from 9000 ft. fuel transducer clogged.

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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