# NTSB LAX89LA255: Beech A35, N8581A, Hemet, CA, August 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1989, 19:00 local (Aug 1, 1989, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Hemet, CA
- Location: 33.7341° N, 116.9968° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hemet, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7341&lon=-116.9968&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26460
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26460/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA255

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST PURCHASED THE AIRCRAFT AND HAD FLOWN IT WITHOUT MISHAP FOR 1.2 HOURS WHICH ALSO WAS THE PILOT'S TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE IN THE MODEL AIRCRAFT. THE 40-YEAR-OLD AIRCRAFT WAS REFUELED AND THE PILOT TOOK OFF. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, ENGINE POWER WAS LOST, AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A SOFT FIELD. THE ENGINE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY EXAMINED AND WAS FOUND CAPABLE OF FUNCTIONING. THE PILOT'S LOG BOOK INDICATED THAT, PRIOR TO THE FLIGHTS IN THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT, HIS LAST TWO FLIGHTS WERE IN JULY OF 1989 (0.7 HOURS) AND IN JUNE OF 1983 (4.7 HOURS). THE SPECIFIC EVENT IN THE OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT OR IN THE FUNCTIONING OF ITS SYSTEMS WHICH RESULTED IN THE NON-MECHANICAL ENGINE POWER LOSS WAS NOT IDENTIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8581A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8581A-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N D-2003, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A35
- Registry model: [Beech A35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a35) (registry code 1151504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D2003
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Freshour, Glenn A.
- Departed: HMT, HEMET, CA
- Destination: TNP, TWENTYNINE PALM, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 510 total, 1 in this make and model, 341 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890731025979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890731025979A), Jul 31, 1989: Beech A35, Hemet, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Crash landed in potato field. No engine defects found. Cause power loss unknown.

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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