# NTSB LAX93LA140: Beech C-45H, N494, Oakland, CA, March 7, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1993, 03:02 local (11:02 UTC)
- Place: Oakland, CA
- Coordinates: 37.730663, -122.200508 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7307&lon=-122.2005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27941
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27941/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA140

## Probable cause

A PREMATURE LIFT OFF AND INADVERTENT STALL BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS INSUFFICIENT AVAILABLE AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE DATA AFTER A FERRY TANK INSTALLATION AND BOTH PILOTS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance,modification - performed, fbo personnel
  - performance data - information insufficient, fbo personnel (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

THE NON-CERTIFICATED FOREIGN MILITARY PILOT (FIRST PILOT) AND A U.S. CERTIFICATED AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT (SECOND PILOT) PLANNED TO FERRY AN AIRPLANE TO AUSTRALIA WITH AN INTERMEDIATE STOP IN HAWAII.  AUXILIARY FUEL AND ENGINE OIL TANKS WERE INSTALLED IN THE AIRPLANE.  THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN AUTHORIZED A SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE FOR OVER GROSS WEIGHT OPERATIONS FOR THE FERRY FLIGHT.  THE FIRST PILOT HAD ACCRUED 50 HOURS AND THE SECOND PILOT ACCRUED 25 HOURS IN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE PRIOR TO THE OVERWEIGHT DEPARTURE.  DURING THE TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE AT 100 KNOTS OF AIRSPEED.  THE AIRPLANE PITCHED UP AND BEGAN TO DUTCH ROLL. AT ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND DESCENDED TO THE RUNWAY.  A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE CABIN AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N494](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N494-1993-11-29), registration cancelled 1993-11-29, S/N AF466 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C-45H
- Registry model: [Beech C-45H](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-45h) (registry code 1151018) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AF-466
- Airframe hours: 5480
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Aus Ex Corp.
- Registered owner: Hast Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special flight (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 23, 1993, 5 hours before
- Departed: OAK
- Destination: HNL, HONOLULU, HI
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: OAK, Oakland, runway 29, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; military, student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,400 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,811 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °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 19930307004429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930307004429A), Mar 7, 1993: Beech C45H, Oakland, CA, Destroyed. Ferry flight to australia. Aux. Fuel, and engine oil tanks installed. Takeoff pitched up dutch roll,stalled, burned

## Other investigations on N494 (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 MIA74FKT68](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74FKT68), Apr 5, 1974: Beech C-45H (N494), Naples, FL, substantial damage

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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