# NTSB LAX93LA180: Beech B24R, N9203S, Aguila, AZ, April 17, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1993, 07:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Aguila, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.810268, -113.1791 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8103&lon=-113.1791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27960
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27960/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA180

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION.  THE FUEL STARVATION WAS CAUSED BY THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SELECT A TANK CONTAINING FUEL AND THE INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF THE ELECTRIC BOOST PUMP DUE TO A FAULTY COCKPIT SWITCH.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,electric boost pump - erratic (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE ENGINE QUIT DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH DURING A FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT BEYOND THE AIRPORT BOUNDARY. AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND INTERVIEWED THE PILOTS AND WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOTS HAD REPORTEDLY SWITCHED FUEL TANKS SHORTLY BEFORE THE ENGINE QUIT. THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE RIGHT FUEL TANK CONTAINED ABOUT THREE QUARTERS CAPACITY OF FUEL WHILE THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE ELECTRIC BOOST PUMP WAS FOUND TO FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO A FAULTY COCKPIT SWITCH. ACCORDING TO THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS, THE AIRCRAFT HAD AN ANNUAL INSPECTION IN 1984 AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY PARKED AND NOT FLOWN UNTIL AFTER THE MOST RECENT ANNUAL, WHICH WAS SIGNED OFF IN THE LOGBOOKS ON MARCH 1, 1993.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9203S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9203S-2000-12-20), registration cancelled 2000-12-20, S/N MC-373 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B24R
- Registry model: [Beech B24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b24r) (registry code 1151253) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MC 373
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Beauford A. Robbins
- Registered owner: Beauford A. Robbins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1993, 15 hours before
- Departed: 7E0
- Destination: 7E0

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 81; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 31,000 total, 1 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19930417009819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930417009819A), Apr 17, 1993: Beech C24R, Aguila, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Reported had just switched tanks. Left tank empty. Fuel in other. Boost pump faulty switch

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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