# NTSB LAX91LA150: Beech A35, N584B, Hilt, CA, March 30, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1991, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Hilt, CA
- Coordinates: 41.910125, -122.489189 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9101&lon=-122.4892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27152
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27152/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA150

## Probable cause

THE APPLICATION OF A SEALANT INSTEAD OF A LUBRICANT TO THE INTERNAL 'O' RINGS SEALS IN THE FUEL SELECTOR BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.  FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO SELECT A FUEL SOURCE AND FUEL STARVATION THAT RESULTED IN AN ENGINE FAILURE.  ROUGH TERRAIN AT THE LANDING SITE WAS ALSO A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## 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, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - improper training, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A SEALANT BY THE NAME OF 'FUELUBE' WAS SUBSTITUTED FOR A LUBRICANT FOR THE 'O' RINGS SEALS IN THE FUEL SELECTOR/MANUAL FUEL PUMP DURING MAINTENANCE. THE PILOT STATED THAT 10 OPERATIONAL HOURS AFTER THE APPLICATION OF 'FUELUBE' HE EXPERIENCED BINDING IN THE FUEL SELECTOR WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE TANKS AND THE HE WAS UNABLE TO FEEL THE DETENT POSITION.  HE ATTEMPTED TO CHANGED FUEL TANK WHILE ON ACROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT AND THE ENGINE FAILED FROM FUEL STARVATION.  HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO AN OPEN, ROCK STREWN, FIELD THAT IMPARTED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGED TO THE AIRCRAFT DURING TOUCH DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N584B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N584B-1991-09-05), registration cancelled 1991-09-05, S/N D1603 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A35
- Registry model: [Beech A35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a35) (registry code 1151504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D1603
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E255-8 255 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mosley, Otto A
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Destination: MFR, MEDFORD, OR
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,000 total, 5,300 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: SIY, 15 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 19910330007969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910330007969A), Mar 30, 1991: Beech A35, Hilt, CA, Substantial damage. Fuel selector binding on changing tanks. Not in detente. Fuel starvation. Fuel lube on o rings fouled selector.

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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