# NTSB LAX97LA301: Beech H35, N222M, Goleta, CA, August 25, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 24, 1997, 17:30 local (Aug 25, 1997, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Goleta, CA - Coordinates: 34.499465, -120.120666 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4995&lon=-120.1207&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29883 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA301 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29883/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA301 ## Probable cause was a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Ditching, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot reported that after departure and at approximately 150 feet agl the engine lost power. He reported that he switched fuel tanks and attempted an unsuccessful restart. During a phone conversation with the pilot he stated that the engine seemed to go to idle power during the initial climb. He maneuvered to avoid a boat then ditched the aircraft in the ocean. The pilot and passenger exited the aircraft before it sank. About 12 days after the accident at the request of environmentalists the aircraft was raised by the pilot. The pilot stated that the aircraft was destroyed by the accident and the salt water and it still had fuel in the tanks. He disposed of the aircraft without notifying the Safety Board. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 24, 1997, about 1730 hours Pacific daylight time, a Beech H35, N222M, operated by the pilot, was destroyed after a forced water landing near Goleta Point, California. The pilot and his passenger were not injured and were rescued by boaters in the area. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed nor required. The aircraft departed runway 15L at the Santa Barbara Airport for Van Nuys, California. The location of the water landing was reported to be about 1/2 mile off the shore line. The pilot stated that during the departure climb, about 150 feet, the engine went to near idle power. He switched fuel tanks and attempted to restore full power without success. The pilot maneuvered to avoid a boat then ditched in the ocean. There was no insurance coverage to pay for recovery. About 12 days after the accident at the request of environmentalists the aircraft was raised by the pilot. After a call from the Safety Board the pilot stated that the aircraft was destroyed by the accident and the salt water though it still had fuel in the tanks. He disposed of the remains without notifying the Safety Board. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N222M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N222M-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N D-5128, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech H35 - Registry model: [Beech H35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h35) (registry code 1151520) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-5128 - Engines: Continental O-470 240 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ascher Ward - Registered owner: Paul Z. Besterveld - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KSBA, CA - Destination: KVNY, VAN NUYS, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,800 total, 9,400 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 5 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KSB ## 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 19970825023409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970825023409A), Aug 25, 1997: Beech H35, Santa Barbara, CA, Destroyed. Engine idled on climbout off shore ditched. H35 destroyed by salt water and impact. Dispossed prior NTSB check. 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.