# NTSB LAX89FA225: Aerospatiale TB-21, N28LR, Newhall, CA, June 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1989, 14:11 local (21:11 UTC)
- Place: Newhall, CA
- Location: 34.3847° N, 118.5309° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Newhall, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3847&lon=-118.5309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26232
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26232/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA225

## Probable cause

FUEL CONTAMINATION, DUE TO THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM, AND INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE. A RELATED FACTOR WAS:  INADEQUATE TRANSITION TRAINING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD TO THE TOWER CTLR THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING ENG PROBLEMS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, HE RPRTD THAT THE ENG HAD 'QUIT'.  AS THE PLT WAS MAKING AN EMERGENCY LNDG, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TRANSMISSION WIRE & CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED CONTAMINANTS IN THE AIRFRAME & ENG FUEL SYSTEMS. RPRTDLY, THE PLT HAD NEVER DRAINED THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE FILTER, NOR WAS HE TOLD ABT THE DRAIN WHEN HE WAS CHECKED OUT BY THE MFG SALES REP. THE FUEL SYSTEM HAD BEEN CHECKED FOR CONTAMINANTS BY AN FBO BEFORE THE PLT DEPD ON THE ACDNT FLT. THE FUEL SERVO WAS CLEANED & THE REINSTALLING MECH DRAINED ABT 1/2 GAL OF FUEL. HE FOUND NO CONTAMINANTS, BUT HE DID NOT ENDOSCOPE THE TANKS AS RQRD BY THE MAINT MANUAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28LR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28LR-1991-12-05), registration cancelled 1991-12-05, S/N 812, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE TB-21
- Registry model: [Socata TB21](https://openairdocs.org/model/socata-tb21) (registry code 8680697) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 812
- Airframe hours: 157
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-AB1AD 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harold Rhoden
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 1988, 157 hours before
- Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Airport: VNY, Van Nuys

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,269 total, 444 in this make and model, 1,150 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VNY, 10 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 19890622017059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890622017059A), Jun 22, 1989: Socata TB21, Newhall, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Unaware of low point fuel drain failed to sump for months. Dirt water caused power loss. Stalled avoiding wires.

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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