# NTSB LAX89LA097: Beech E33, N8403N, Parlier, CA, January 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1989, 17:55 local (Jan 28, 1989, 01:55 UTC)
- Place: Parlier, CA
- Coordinates: 36.619308, -119.509925 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6193&lon=-119.5099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26329
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26329/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA097

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION TO CONTINUE TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT AFTER ENCOUNTERING A RESTRICTIONOF FUEL FLOW FROM THE RIGHT TANK AND SUBSEQUENT FUEL STARVATION WHEN THE LEFT TANK EMPTIED. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE BLOCKED FUEL VENT AND A DITCH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - not performed
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE DEPG ON A FLT FROM SAN DIEGO TO FRESNO, THE PLT VISUALLY INSPECTED THE FUEL TANKS & BOTH WERE FULL. HE TOOK OFF AT ABOUT 1515 PST USING THE LEFT TANK. HE RPRTD THAT OVER THE SEAL BEACH AREA, HE SELECTED THE RIGHT TANK. APRX 2 MIN LATER, THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH & HE NOTED A DROP IN FUEL PRESSURE. HE THEN RESELECTED THE LEFT TANK & THE ENG RETURNED TO NORMAL OPN. OVER THE LAKE HUGHES AREA, HE MOMENTARILY SELECTED THE RIGHT TANK AGAIN & EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. AT THAT TIME, HE BELIEVED THERE WOULD BE SUFFICIENT FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK TO CONTINUE TO FRESNO. HOWEVER, WHEN THE ACFT WAS ON ARRIVAL AT THE ALTTA INTXN (IAF FOR THE ILS RWY 29R APCH), THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT SELECTED THE RIGHT TANK, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG. HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LNDG IN AN OPEN AREA, BUT AFTER ROLLING APRX 100 TO 150 FT, THE ACFT HIT A DITCH & WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. AN EXAM REVEALED THE LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY & THE RIGHT TANK WAS FULL. A FURTHER EXAM REVEALED THE RIGHT FUEL TANK VENT TUBE WAS OBSTRUCTED WITH INSECTS & DEBRIS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8403N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8403N-1989-03-22), registration cancelled 1989-03-22, S/N CD1168 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E33
- Registry model: [Beech E33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e33) (registry code 1151422) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CD-1168
- Airframe hours: 3556
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-K 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Farris L. Farrell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 1988, 62 hours before
- Departed: SDM, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Destination: FAT, FRESNO, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 44 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAT, 6 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 19890127001589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890127001589A), Jan 27, 1989: Beech E33, Reedley, CA, Destroyed. Ran left tank dry en route after prior knowledge would not operate on full aright tank. Crashed. Tank vent 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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