# NTSB LAX92LA270: Beech A36, N1794W, Brawley, CA, June 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1992, 19:30 local (Jun 29, 1992, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Brawley, CA
- Coordinates: 33.019229, -115.450065 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0192&lon=-115.4501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27667
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA270
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27667/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA270

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE PILOT'S;  1) FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT, 2) IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND 3) HIS DELAYED POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE TO A TANK CONTAINING FUEL.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THE PROCEDURES SPECIFIED IN THE AIRCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight manuals - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS AT 4,000 FEET DESCENDING TOWARD THE AIRPORT WHEN THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY RAN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK DRY, THEN SWITCHED TO THE LEFT TANK. THE PILOT COULD NOT AFFECT AN ENGINE RESTART AND THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN A PLOWED FIELD ABOUT 2 MILES SHORT OF THE AIRPORT AND ENCOUNTERED SOFT EARTH WHICH SHEARED THE LANDING GEAR OFF THE AIRCRAFT, DAMAGING THE WINGS. FAA INSPECTORS FOUND THAT THE RIGHT FUEL TANK CONTAINED LESS THAN 1 GALLON WHILE THE LEFT TANK HELD 10 GALLONS. EACH OF THE FUEL TANKS HOLDS 40 GALLONS TOTAL. THE FLIGHT MANUAL FOR THE AIRCRAFT CAUTIONS AGAINST TAKEOFFS, LANDINGS OR MANEUVERING WITH LESS THAN ONE QUARTER OF FUEL IN THE TANK SELECTED. THE FUEL PICK UP PORTS WERE NOTED TO BE IN THE REAR CORNER OF EACH FUEL TANK. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONALLY TESTED WITH NO ABNORMALITY IN SYSTEM FUNCTION FOUND. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE MADE TWO TRIPS BETWEEN BRAWLEY AND SAN DIEGO WITHOUT REFUELING THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1794W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1794W), registered now, S/N E-380, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E380
- Airframe hours: 1871
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA2 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Clyde E. Shields, doing business as Clyde Shields Entomological Sv
- Registered owner: Clyde Shields Entomological Sv
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 4, 1992, 9 hours before
- Departed: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,598 total, 986 in this make and model, 3,598 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °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 19920628022689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920628022689A), Jun 28, 1992: Beech A36, Brawley, CA, Substantial damage. Ran a tank dry on approach. Unable restart on other containing 10 gallons. Fuel unporting possible with low fuel.

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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