# NTSB LAX89LA146: Beech A36, N7238A, Sacramento, CA, May 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1989, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Sacramento, CA
- Coordinates: 38.509422, -121.490249 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5094&lon=-121.4902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26367
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26367/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA146

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE NUMBER FOUR PISTON ASSEMBLY.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:   THE SOFT/UNEVEN TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly,piston - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A CLIMB TO ALT, THE ENG SUDDENLY MADE A LOUD GRINDING SOUND & BEGAN TO VIBRATE.  THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A CULTIVATED FIELD.  WHILE LANDING, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED FURROWS IN THE TERRAIN & THE GEAR COLLAPSED. AN INSPN OF THE ENG REVEALED THE #4 PISTON HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7238A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7238A-1991-03-26), registration cancelled 1991-03-26, S/N E2254 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-2254
- Airframe hours: 738
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Woodland Aviation
- Registered owner: Fta Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 30, 1989, 35 hours before
- Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Destination: 085, REDDING, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,560 total, 40 in this make and model, 1,407 as pilot in command, 179 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890509011179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890509011179A), May 9, 1989: Beech A36, Sacramento, CA, Substantial damage. Engine vibrated and lost power en route. Landed in a rough field. Hole in top of engine. Nr 4 cylinder had shattered

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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