# NTSB LAX91LA017: Beech F33A, N1568A, Mobile, AZ, October 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1990, 10:54 local (17:54 UTC)
- Place: Mobile, AZ
- Location: 33.1119° N, 112.2692° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BISHOP AIRFIELD (1AZ0), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1119&lon=-112.2692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27048
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27048/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA017

## Probable cause

A FUEL FLOW INTERRUPTION DUE TO A FUEL SYSTEM SEAL FRAGMENT BECOMING LODGED IN THE FUEL CONTROL UNIT AND THE MANUFACTURER'S INADEQUATE QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,fuel control - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - inadequate quality control, manufacturer (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN THE MAINTENANCE SHOP FOR CORRECTION OF A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE AT CLIMB POWER, WITH ACCOMPANYING FUEL FLOW FLUCTUATIONS. THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, FLOW DIVIDER AND THE ENGINE SPARK PLUGS. THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WAS A POST MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT TO APPROVE THE AIRCRAFT FOR RETURN TO SERVICE. THE AIRPLANE WAS ON THE SECOND TOUCH AND GO DEPARTURE WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT AND AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND DURING THE ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING. THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN USING THE COMPONENTS IN THE AIRCRAFT AND WOULD ONLY RUN VERY ROUGH AT NO HIGHER THAN 1400 RPM. AN OBSTRUCTION WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL CONTROL UNIT. OPTICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FOREIGN OBJECT REVEALED THAT IT WAS SIMILAR IN COMPOSURE, COLOR AND TEXTURE TO FUEL SYSTEM SEAL MATERIAL. THE ENGINE WAS MANUFACTURED IN JULY OF 1990 AND INSTALLED IN THE AIRFRAME ON AUGUST 14, 1990. THE FUEL CONTROL UNIT WAS SUPPLIED BY CONTINENTAL ALREADY INSTALLED ON THE ENGINE. AS OF THE ACCIDENT, THE ENGINE HAD ACCURED A TOTAL TIME OF 256 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1568A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1568A-1992-06-15), registration cancelled 1992-06-15, S/N CE1332 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH F33A
- Registry model: [Beech F33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (registry code 1151425) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CE 1332
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-B13 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Airline Training Center
- Departed: GYR, GOODYEAR, AZ
- Destination: GYR
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: 1AZ0, Auxiliary, runway 9, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 16,796 total, 1,574 in this make and model, 16,796 as pilot in command, 219 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 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 19901024047009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901024047009A), Oct 24, 1990: Beech F33A, Mobile, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Crash landed off end runway. Seal material lodged in fuel port of throttle body fuel unit.

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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