# NTSB LAX97LA254: Beech 77, N1848F, Lakeport, CA, July 23, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 23, 1997, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Lakeport, CA - Coordinates: 39.040397, -122.930191 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0404&lon=-122.9302&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29846 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA254 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29846/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA254 ## Probable cause carburetor ice, and the failure of both pilot's to use (or properly use) carburetor heat. Factors relating to the accident were: the weather (carburetor icing) conditions, and obstructions in the forced landing area (grape vineyard). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - not used, flightcrew (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - fence (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a local instructional flight to complete the pilot's biennial flight review. The pilot and instructor reported that they were performing a series of slow flight maneuvers and stalls. The engine lost power and could not be restarted, and the pilots were forced to land in a vineyard. On-ground collision with grape vines and the supporting wooden posts and wires damaged the aircraft. An FAA inspector reported that rotation of the crankshaft produced compression in each cylinder, with accessory gear and valve train continuity established. The carburetor and fuel system were examined, with no abnormality noted. Both magnetos sparked with hand rotation. About 13 miles west at Ukiah, California, the 0845 weather observation showed that the temperature and dew point were 60 and 51 degrees Fahrenheit. Review of a carburetor icing probability chart revealed that the temperature and dew point were within an area of the graph annotated 'serious icing - cruise or climb power.' ## Factual narrative On July 23, 1997, about 0900 hours Pacific daylight time, a Beech 77, N1848F, collided with grape vines during a forced landing following an engine failure near Lakeport, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a local instructional flight to complete the pilot's biennial flight review. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. Neither the private pilot nor the flight instructor were injured. The flight originated at Lakeport about 0830 on the morning of the accident. In written statements, the pilot and instructor reported that they were performing a series of slow flight maneuvers and stalls. The engine lost power and could not be restarted prior to the aircraft landing in a vineyard. The on-ground collision with grape vines and the supporting wooden posts and wires damaged the aircraft. Following recovery of the aircraft, it was examined by an Federal Aviation Administation airworthiness inspector from the Sacramento, California, Flight Standards District Office. The inspector reported that rotation of the crankshaft produced compression in each cylinder, with accessory gear and valve train continuity established. The carburetor and fuel system were examined, with no abnormalities noted. Both magnetos sparked with hand rotation. The aviation weather observation station at Ukiah, California, is about 13 miles west of the accident site. At 0845, the station was reporting a Fahrenheit temperature and dew point of 60 and 51 degrees. Review of a carburetor icing probability chart reveals that the temperature and dew point are within an area of the graph annotated "serious icing - cruise or climb power." ## Aircraft - Registration: N1848F (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Beech 77 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1675 - Airframe hours: 2470 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joyce A. Porterfield - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 13, 1996, 30 hours before - Departed: 1O2 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 333 total, 333 in this make and model, 288 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 3 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: UKI, 13 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 19970723019529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970723019529A), Jul 23, 1997: Beech 77, Lakeport, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft experienced engine failure made emergency landing in a vineyard. (.4)the aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a local instructional… 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.