# NTSB LAX93LA070: Beech C24R, N18942, Oakland, CA, December 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 19, 1992, 12:28 local (20:28 UTC)
- Place: Oakland, CA
- Location: 37.8044° N, 122.2708° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oakland, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8044&lon=-122.2708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27887
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27887/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA070

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO IMPROPER FUEL SYSTEM MANAGEMENT BY BOTH PILOTS AND THE FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE CONDUCT OF THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, dual student (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command(cfi)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND A PRIVATE PILOT DEPARTED ON A TWO HOUR FLIGHT FOR AN AIRCRAFT CHECK OUT AND INSTRUMENT DUAL INSTRUCTION. BOTH PILOTS REPORTED TO FAA INSPECTORS AND OAKLAND POLICE OFFICERS THAT DURING THE FLIGHT THEY NEGLECTED TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS AND INADVERTENTLY RAN THE LEFT FUEL TANK DRY WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 27R. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED IN TIME AND THE INSTRUCTOR LANDED THE AIRCRAFT ON A GOLF COURSE AND COLLIDED WITH GROUND OBSTRUCTIONS. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE RIGHT TANK CONTAINED ABOUT 20 GALLONS OF FUEL. THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT IN THIS TYPE OF AIRCRAFT BY THE PRIVATE PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18942](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18942-2008-03-10), registration cancelled 2008-03-10, S/N MC-549, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C24R
- Registry model: [Beech C24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c24r) (registry code 1151254) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MC-549
- Airframe hours: 3261
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Uc Flying Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Uc Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 1992, 67 hours before
- Airport: OAK, Oakland International, runway 27, 5,453 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 699 total, 12 in this make and model, 617 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OAK, 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 19921219050919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921219050919A), Dec 19, 1992: Beech C24R, Oakland, CA, Substantial damage. Ran a tank dry on final. Unable restart. Landed on golf course. Check out and IFR dual flight.

## Other investigations on N18942 (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX05LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA012), Oct 22, 2004: Beech C24R (N18942), Cloverdale, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation from the pilot's inadequate fuel system management and his delay in selecting the fullest fuel tank.

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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