# NTSB LAX92FA185: Beech S35, N123JH, Long Beach, CA, April 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1992, 09:21 local (16:21 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.819946, -118.110084 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8199&lon=-118.1101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27422
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27422/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA185

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE THE AIRPLANE'S STALL SPEED (VS) AND INADVERTENT ENTRY INTO A SPIN. THE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTING FROM CONTAMINATED FUEL AND INADEQUATE PREFLIGHTS WERE FACTORS 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) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - contamination (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE FAILED DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB PHASE OF FLIGHT AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED, ENTERED A SPIN AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE  AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM DISCLOSED CONTAMINANTS (CORROSION) IN THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL FLOW DIVIDER, AND FUEL INJECTOR NOZZLES.  THE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF OTHER PREEXISTING FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROPULSION SYSTEM FAILURE OR THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N123JH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123JH-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N D-7477, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH S35
- Registry model: [Beech S35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (registry code 1151532) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-7477
- Airframe hours: 5375
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Broersma, Garrett & Marlene
- Registered owner: Broersma, Garrett & Marlene
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1991, 83 hours before
- Departed: LGB
- Airport: LGB, Daugherty Field, runway 25, 5,420 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,136 total, 344 in this make and model, 1,893 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °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 19920424011049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920424011049A), Apr 24, 1992: Beech S35, Long Beach, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Engine quit on climbout. Stalled in nose high turn. Fuel injectors clogged. Corroded manifold valve and fuel pump.

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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