# NTSB LAX94LA229: Beech 95-B55, N814U, Calexico, CA, May 30, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 30, 1994, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Calexico, CA - Location: 32.6674° N, 115.5176° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CALEXICO INTL (CXL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6674&lon=-115.5176&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 December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28751 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA229 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28751/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA229 ## Probable cause 1) the pilot's failure to correctly position the fuel selectors prior to takeoff, 2) the resultant fuel starvation failure of the left engine in the takeoff initial climb, and 3) the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - 1 engine - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot cleared U. S. Customs at Calexico, CA, and was on the ground for about 10 minutes. He said that after taxiing to the end of the runway he noticed a lull in the traffic and decided to immediately takeoff without performing a pretakeoff power or aircraft configuration check. The pilot said that he was reaching for the landing gear control just after liftoff when the left engine failed. The aircraft yawed and banked to the left and, before the pilot could regain control, the left wing tip contacted the ground. The aircraft cartwheeled to a stop off the left side of the runway. The aircraft was examined and the fuel quantity gauge selector switch was positioned to the main fuel tanks while the fuel selectors were positioned to the auxiliary fuel tanks. The left and right main fuel tanks contained 16 and 20 gallons, respectively, while the auxiliary tanks had less than 5 gallons. Fuel system continuity was established with no evidence of postaccident leakage noted. ## Factual narrative On May 30, 1994, at 1515 Pacific daylight time, a Beech 95-B55, N814U, collided with the ground following a loss of control during the takeoff initial climb at the Calexico International Airport, Calexico, California. The loss of control was precipitated by a loss of power in the left engine just after liftoff from the runway. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and his one passenger were not injured. The flight was originating at the time for a local area personal flight to Brawley, California. In a verbal statement, the pilot reported that the flight originated in Loretto, Mexico, and had made a stop at Calexico to clear U. S. Customs. The aircraft was on the ground for about 10 minutes. He said that after taxiing to the end of the runway he noticed a lull in the traffic and decided to immediately takeoff without performing a pretakeoff power or aircraft configuration check. The pilot said that he was reaching for the landing gear control just after liftoff when the left engine failed. The aircraft yawed and banked to the left and, before the pilot could regain control, the left wing tip contacted the ground. The aircraft cartwheeled to a stop off the left side of the runway. The aircraft was examined by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors from the San Diego, California, Flight Standards District Office. The inspectors reported that the fuel quantity gauge selector switch was positioned to the main fuel tanks while the fuel selectors were positioned to the auxiliary fuel tanks. The left and right main fuel tanks contained 16 and 20 gallons, respectively, while the auxiliary tanks had less than 5 gallons. Fuel system continuity was established with no evidence of postaccident leakage noted. The pilot noted that he did not have the boost bump switches selected to the low position during the takeoff ground roll. According to the pilot operating handbook for the aircraft, low boost pump should be selected when the outside air temperature exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit or when fuel pressure fluctuations exist. The prevailing outside air temperature was reported to be 100 degrees Fahrenheit. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N814U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N814U-1995-06-01), registration cancelled 1995-06-01, S/N TC1342 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 95-B55 - Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TC1342 - Airframe hours: 2522 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John N. Osterkamp, doing business as Osterkamp Ranches - Registered owner: John N. Osterkamp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1993, 110 hours before - Departed: CXL - Destination: BWC, BRAWLEY, CA - Airport: CXL, Calexico International, runway 26, 4,330 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,064 total, 2,267 in this make and model, 5,700 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 8 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: IPL, 8 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 19940530012939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940530012939A), May 30, 1994: Beech 95B55, Calexico, CA, Substantial damage. Rushed takeoff. No runup. Left engine quit on rotation. Wing hit. Cartwheeled. Boost pump not on for 100 degrees. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.