# NTSB LAX92FA017: Cessna 414, N3843C, Long Beach, CA, October 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1991, 09:01 local (16:01 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.809921, -118.180839 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8099&lon=-118.1808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27387
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27387/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA017

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES BY NOT RETRACTING THE LANDING GEAR WHEN HE SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. THE SCAVENGE PUMP FAILURE, SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE AND THE INADVERTENT STALL WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - lubricating system,oil scavenge pump - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - powerplant - switched off (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller feathering - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - gear retraction - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD LOST THE LEFT ENGINE DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB PHASE OF A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT.  GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEAR WAS DOWN AND THE LEFT PROPELLER WAS FEATHERED AS IT TURNED LEFT ONTO THE DOWNWIND LEG OF THE TRAFFIC PATTERN.   OTHER WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE'S WINGS DIP BEFORE IT NOSED OVER INTO THE TERRAIN WHILE TURNING ONTO THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND AND A FENCE THAT SEPARATED TWO RESIDENTIAL YARDS.  THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE LEFT ENGINE'S SCAVENGE PUMP FAILED.  THIS FAILURE LED THE PILOT TO BELIEVE THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT'S IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES BY FAILING TO RETRACT THE LANDING GEAR AND MAINTAIN AIRSPEED PRECIPITATED THE RESULTING STALL AND UNCONTROLLED DESCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3843C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3843C-1992-10-21), registration cancelled 1992-10-21, S/N 4140846 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414
- Registry model: [Cessna 414](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414) (registry code 2075908) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4140846
- Airframe hours: 2711
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-N 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Crago, William T. & Geraldine
- Registered owner: Crago, William T. & Geraldine
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1990, 180 hours before
- Destination: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LGB, Daugherty Field, runway 3, 10,000 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,510 total, 317 in this make and model, 1,377 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGB, 1 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 19911026048039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911026048039A), Oct 26, 1991: Cessna 414, Long Beach, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost power left engine. Feathered but failed up gear. Turn into bad engine below VMC. Turbo scavenge pump failed.

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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