# NTSB LAX88LA116: Beech F35, N5041B, Pacoima, CA, February 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1988, 07:50 local (15:50 UTC)
- Place: Pacoima, CA
- Coordinates: 34.250125, -118.410324 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2501&lon=-118.4103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25955
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25955/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA116

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - residence (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT HE HAD INITIALLY PSND THE FUEL SELECTOR (SEL) TO THE LEFT MAIN TANK. HE SAID THAT AFTER ABT 1 HR OF FLT (NEAR PALMDALE, CA), HE PSND THE SEL TO THE RGT MAIN TANK FOR A SHORT TIME, THEN (NEAR PACOIMA), HE MOVED IT BACK TO THE LEFT MAIN TANK. THEREAFTER, THE ENG SUDDENLY LOST POWER AS THE ACFT WAS NEARING THE DESTN AT 3500' MSL (2500' AGL). THE PLT STATED THAT HE TRIED TO RESTART THE ENG, BUT WAS UNABLE. HE COULD NOT VISUALLY ACQUIRE THE DESTN ARPT, SO HE REVERSED COURSE IN AN ATMT TO LAND AT WHITEMAN ARPT, BUT DID NOT REACH IT. DRG AN EMERG LANDING, THE ACFT COLLIDEDWITH RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY & SVRL AUTOS ABT 1/4 MI FROM THE ARPT. AN EXAM REVEALED THE LEFT MAIN & RGT AUX FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY, BUT THE LEFT AUX & RGT MAIN TANKS WERE NEARLY FULL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5041B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5041B-1989-09-05), registration cancelled 1989-09-05, S/N D4308 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH F35
- Registry model: [Beech F35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f35) (registry code 1151514) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D4308
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: M.Duane Butler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 1987
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: BUR, BURBANK, CA
- Airport: WHP, Whiteman, runway 30, 3,725 × 40 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BUR, 4 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 19880225060489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880225060489A), Feb 25, 1988: Beech F35, Los Angeles, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit near destination. Diverted but crashed into houses and vehicles short of runway. Selected empty tank.

## Other investigations on N5041B (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN66F0306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66F0306), Apr 10, 1966: Beech F35 (N5041B), Evanston, WY, substantial damage

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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