# NTSB LAX90LA156: Beech A23-19, N5664S, Apple Valley, CA, April 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1990, 16:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Apple Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 34.569137, -117.150535 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5691&lon=-117.1505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26786
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26786/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA156

## Probable cause

FUEL CONTAMINATION AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING.

## 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 - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water
  - fuel system,cap - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,replacement - not performed, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB AND CRASHED WHILE ATTEMPTING A RETURN TO AIRPORT MANEUVER. FAA INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE. NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE. THE RIGHT FUEL CAP WAS FOUND TO HAVE A BADLY DETERIORATED 'O' RING, AND WATER WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT TANK. WITNESSES ON THE AIRPORT REPORTED THAT THE PILOT WASHED THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5664S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5664S-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N MB-94, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23-19
- Registry model: [Beech A23-19](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23-19) (registry code 1151212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MB-94
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lloyd K Bilnoski
- Departed: APV
- Destination: DAG, BARSTOW, CA
- Airport: APV, runway 18, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 285 total, 285 in this make and model, 212 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 30 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900427022959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900427022959A), Apr 27, 1990: Beech A2319, Apple Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout stalled trying a 180 to return to runway. Had water in fuel from leaky fuel cap.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.