# NTSB LAX93LA158: Boeing A75L3, N58969, Carlsbad, CA, March 22, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1993, 17:12 local (Mar 22, 1993, 01:12 UTC)
- Place: Carlsbad, CA
- Coordinates: 33.130161, -117.300971 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1302&lon=-117.3010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27950
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27950/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA158

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION IN THAT HE FAILED TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.

## 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 - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN THE LANDING PATTERN WHEN THE PILOT REPORTED TO CONTROLLERS IN THE CONTROL TOWER THAT THE ENGINE HAD QUIT. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A BERM SHORT OF THE RUNWAY WHILE ATTEMPTING A POWER OFF FORCED LANDING ON THE RUNWAY. FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT. THEY REPORTED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS INTACT, WITH NO BREAKS OR LEAKS DETECTED. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE TANKS OR SYSTEM LINES, AND, ONLY RESIDUAL FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL GASCOLATOR. IN A STATEMENT TO FAA INSPECTORS THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE FLEW FIVE SEPARATE FLIGHTS ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT TOTALLING TWO HOURS AND 50 MINUTES. THE PILOT SAID HE BEGAN THE DAY WITH A FULL FUEL TANK AND USED THE FUEL GAGE TO QUANTIFY THE FUEL REMAINING IN THE TANK. FUEL WAS AVAILABLE AT THE AIRPORT THE PILOT WAS OPERATING FROM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58969](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N58969), registered now, S/N 757871, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75L3
- Registry model: [Boeing A75L3](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75l3) (registry code 1380102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-7871
- Airframe hours: 2084
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert A. Bach
- Registered owner: Joel Mcneal
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 18, 1992, 97 hours before
- Departed: CRQ
- Destination: CRQ
- Airport: CRQ, Carlsbad Palomar, runway 24, 4,700 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,820 total, 114 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRQ, 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 19930321005699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930321005699A), Mar 21, 1993: Boeing A75L3, Carlsbad, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit in the traffic pattern. Crash landed short of runway. Fuel tanks were empty.

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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