# NTSB LAX89LA047: Beech H35, N5594D, Corning, CA, November 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1988, 19:30 local (Nov 12, 1988, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Corning, CA
- Coordinates: 39.919582, -122.280548 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9196&lon=-122.2805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26296
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26296/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA047

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLT ORIGINATED AT HAYWARD, CA, WITH A STOP AT SAN CARLOS, CA AND CORNING, CA. THE PLT'S DESTINATION WAS THE RED BLUFF ARPT (RBL). THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE DEPARTED HAYWARD BOTH MAIN FUEL TANKS WERE FULL. HE FLEW TO SAN CARLOS WHERE HE PICKED UP THREE PAX AND THEN FLEW TO CORNING. THE PLT STATED THAT HE FLEW FOR A TOTAL OF 1.2 HOURS BEFORE LANDING AT CORNING. THE PLT STATED THAT HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO DEARTURE FROM CORNING. THE PLTTOOKOFF USING THE RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK. THE ENGINE LOST POWER JUST AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE ACFT CRASHED. EXAM OF THE FUEL TANKS DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK. THERE WERE ABOUT 14 GALS FOUND IN THE LEFT MAIN TANK AND ABOUT 5 GALS IN THE LEFT AUX TANK. AT THE TIME OF THE EXAM THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE OF THE FUEL TANKS OR IN THE ENG AREA. IF THE RIGHT MAIN TANK IS SELECTED, THE AMOUNT OF FUEL BURNED IN ADDITION TO THE FUEL USED BY THE FUEL INJECTION SYST (ABOUT 10 GPH) WILL BE REMOVED FROM RGHT TNK. THE EXCESS FUEL WILL BE RET TO THE LFT MAIN TANK ONLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5594D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5594D-2014-10-28), registration cancelled 2014-10-28, S/N D-5162, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H35
- Registry model: [Beech H35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h35) (registry code 1151520) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-5162
- Airframe hours: 4697
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-G 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hill, David
- Registered owner: David Hill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 1988, 38 hours before
- Destination: RBL, RED BLUFF, CA
- Airport: 004, Corning, runway 34, 2,700 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 730 total, 50 in this make and model, 620 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RBL, 9 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 19881111050409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881111050409A), Nov 11, 1988: Beech H35, Corning, CA, Destroyed. Engine quit on takeoff. Crash landed off end of runway. Fuel selector was on right empty tank. Fuel in left tank.

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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