# NTSB LAX91FA292: Beech G35, N164N, Pacoima, CA, July 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1991, 13:23 local (20:23 UTC)
- Place: Pacoima, CA
- Coordinates: 34.249065, -118.410964 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2491&lon=-118.4110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27013
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA292
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27013/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA292

## Probable cause

IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach

## Analysis

THE PILOT & A PASSENGER WERE COMPLETING A PERSONAL CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT.  THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED CLEARANCE TO LAND, THEN THERE WAS NO FURTHER COMMUNICATION FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE FINAL APPROACH SEGMENT TO THE RUNWAY WAS OVER A RESIDENTIAL & LIGHT INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS AREA.  WITNESSES REPORTED THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO BE FLYING LOW & THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED NEAR THE TOP OF A STAINLESS STEEL STORAGE TANK, ABOUT 35 FT ABOVE THE GROUND, 800 FT SHORT OF THE RUNWAY & 50 FT RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE.  THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED & THE OCCUPANTS RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.  AN EXAM OF THE FUEL SELECTOR REVEALED THAT IT WAS POSITIONED BETWEEN 'OFF' & THE RIGHT FUEL TANK POSITION.  THIS POSITION WOULD NOT ALLOW ANY FUEL TO GO TO THE ENGINE.  NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N164N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N164N-1991-09-25), registration cancelled 1991-09-25, S/N D4602 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH G35
- Registry model: [Beech G35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-g35) (registry code 1151516) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D4602
- Airframe hours: 3345
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Taylor, Donald
- Registered owner: Donald Taylor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1991, 31 hours before
- Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Destination: WHP
- Airport: WHP, Whiteman, runway 12, 3,725 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,733 total, 540 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BUR, 4 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 19910706026089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910706026089A), Jul 6, 1991: Beech G35, Pacoima, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Engine quit on final. Over congested area. Flat glide. Stalled dropped into metal tanks. Fuel select on empty tank.

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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