# NTSB LAX89LA244: Beech BE58, N7454N, Sedona, AZ, July 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1989, 17:01 local (Jul 24, 1989, 00:01 UTC)
- Place: Sedona, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.939472, -111.94046 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9395&lon=-111.9405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26449
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26449/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA244

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IMPROPERLY LEANING THE FUEL MIXTURE OF THE LEFT ENGINE AND THE DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF FROM AN AIRPORT WITH A DENSITY ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 8,600'. HE LEANED THE ENGINES DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AND BELIEVES HE LEANED THE LEFT ENGINE EXCESSIVELY. THE LEFT ENGINE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRPLANE ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY AND RAN OFF THE END INTO ROUGH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7454N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7454N-1999-05-05), registration cancelled 1999-05-05, S/N TC-1123 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH BE58
- Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-1123
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Griffin, Gene L.
- Departed: SEZ
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Airport: SEZ, Sedona, runway 21, 5,142 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 432 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 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 19890723024789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890723024789A), Jul 23, 1989: Beech 58A, Sedona, AZ, Substantial damage. Not accelerating properly on takeoff, unable to stop on runway, ran off into rough ground. High density altitude.

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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