# NTSB LAX96LA302: Beech B23, N6087N, Modesto, CA, August 9, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 9, 1996, 13:05 local (20:05 UTC) - Place: Modesto, CA - Coordinates: 37.629306, -120.969512 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6293&lon=-120.9695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29532 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA302 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29532/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA302 ## Probable cause fuel starvation due to the pilot's inadequate fuel management and failure to reposition the fuel selector to a tank containing adequate fuel. The power lines were a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr) - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The pilot reported that the two 28.8 gallon capacity fuel tanks were both full upon takeoff for her participation in the Palms-to-Pines air race. After flying for 2:10 hours the pilot arrived at Modesto, and she made a low pass over the field for timing purposes. During the go-around, all engine power was suddenly lost and the pilot attempted to land on a street. On approach, the airplane collided with power lines. The airplane impacted the street, and a fuel-fed fire erupted as the airplane slid to a stop. The pilot reported that she anticipated the fuel burn off rate during the flight was about 11.9 gallons per hour. She did not recall switching fuel tanks during the flight. No mechanical malfunctions were found during the postimpact engine examination. ## Factual narrative On August 9, 1996, at 1305 hours Pacific daylight time, a Beech B23, N6087N, owned and operated by the pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power during a go-around which followed an intentionally performed low pass over the Modesto City Airport, Modesto, California. When the engine lost power, the airplane was between 600 and 900 feet above ground level. The pilot reported that she made a forced landing on a street, but during the approach collided with power lines. As the airplane slid to a stop a fuel-fed fire erupted, which ultimately destroyed the airplane. Neither the private pilot nor the passenger were injured during the Palms-to-Pines air race. The low pass was performed for timing purposes. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Santa Monica, California, at 1050. The pilot reported that upon departure the fuel tanks were full. The two wing tanks each held about 28.8 gallons of fuel. Fuel can only be used from one of the tanks at a time since there is no "both" fuel tank selector position. The pilot stated that she did not recall repositioning the fuel selector during the 2:10 hour-long flight. The pilot additionally reported that she anticipated the engine would use about 11.9 gallons per hour during the air race. Airplane recovery personnel reported that they examined the engine. Compression was obtained in all cylinders. The carburetor fuel screen was found clean. All of the spark plugs appeared to be in a serviceable condition. Spark was obtained upon rotation of the magneto drive gears. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6087N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6087N-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N M-1179, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech B23 - Registry model: [Beech B23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b23) (registry code 1151240) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M-1179 - Airframe hours: 2302 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A2G 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Jill A. Baker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1996, 7 hours before - Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA - Destination: MOD - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: MOD, Modesto City, runway 28R, 5,911 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 338 total, 243 in this make and model, 267 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken - Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MOD, 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 19960809022199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960809022199A), Aug 9, 1996: Beech 23BEECH, Modesto, CA, Destroyed. Engine quit on climbout after low pass over runway. Hit wires and street. Cause power loss undetermined. 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.