# NTSB LAX90LA178: Beech H35, N5586D, San Marcos, CA, May 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1990, 21:45 local (May 17, 1990, 04:45 UTC)
- Place: San Marcos, CA
- Coordinates: 33.149864, -117.170776 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1499&lon=-117.1708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26807
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26807/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA178

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL MANAGEMENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE DEPARTED WITH 37 GALLONS OF FUEL FOR HIS NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT HAS FOUR AUXILIARY TANKS AND TWO MAIN TANKS. HE STATED THE FUEL WAS IN THE MAINS AND AUXILIARIES. THE ENGINE FAILED PRIOR TO REACHING HIS DESTINATION AND HE CHOSE TO LAND GEAR UP IN A FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5586D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5586D-1993-04-08), registration cancelled 1993-04-08, S/N D5163 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H35
- Registry model: [Beech H35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h35) (registry code 1151520) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-5163
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-N 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Phillip Milazzo
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA
- Destination: CRQ, PALOMAR, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 638 total, 275 in this make and model, 575 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NFG, 20 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 19900516022919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900516022919A), May 16, 1990: Beech H35, San Marcos, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power crash landed gear up in vacant lot. Fuel return check valve malfunctioned. Caused fuel starvation.

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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