# NTSB LAX98LA120: Beech C35, N8948A, Rio Linda, CA, March 23, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 23, 1998, 10:25 local (18:25 UTC) - Place: Rio Linda, CA - Coordinates: 38.679634, -121.449264 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6796&lon=-121.4493&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30054 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30054/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA120 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate fuel management which led to fuel exhaustion. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - terrain condition - none suitable - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis The practice flight originated at Rio Linda approximately 1000. The pilot performed two landings in Lincoln, California, and he was returning to Rio Linda when the engine lost power. During the off-airport landing the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that the airplane was inside a locked hangar when he performed his preflight check. He said the only light available was the one coming through the hangar skylight. During the visual check of the fuel levels it appeared from light reflections that the fuel level was all the way to the tank openings. According to the FAA inspector who examined the airplane on-scene, the left wing was found severed from the fuselage and lying inverted. The fuel tank was split open with only a slight hint of fuel and no evidence of a fuel spill on the ground. The right wing fuel cap was opened and no fuel could be seen in the tank. The right wing tank sump drain was opened and nothing came out. There was only a hint of fuel at the fuel strainer drain. The fuel selector was found in the right fuel tank detent. ## Factual narrative On March 23, 1998, about 1025 hours Pacific standard time, a Beech C35, N8489A, was substantially damaged during an off-airport landing near Rio Linda, California. The solo private pilot, operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The practice flight originated at Rio Linda approximately 1000; performed two landings in Lincoln, California, and was returning to Rio Linda. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Sacramento, California, Flight Standards District Office examined the wreckage on-scene. In his statement, he reported the left wing was found severed from the fuselage and lying inverted, and the fuel tank was split open with only a slight hint of fuel and no evidence of a fuel spill on the ground. The right wing fuel tank was opened and no fuel could be seen in the tank. The right wing tank sump drain was opened and nothing came out. There was only a hint of fuel at the fuel strainer drain. The fuel selector was found in the right fuel tank detent. The pilot stated that the aircraft was inside a locked hangar when he performed his preflight check. He said the only light available was the one coming through the skylight. During his visual check of the fuel levels, it appeared from light reflection that the fuel was all the way to the tank openings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8948A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8948A-2003-12-15), registration cancelled 2003-12-15, S/N D-2702, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech C35 - Registry model: [Beech C35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c35) (registry code 1151508) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-2702 - Airframe hours: 4074 - Engines: Continental E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mauser Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1997, 25 hours before - Departed: Q94, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 115 total, 11 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SMF, 7 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 19980323010319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980323010319A), Mar 23, 1998: Beech C35BEECH, Rio Linda, CA, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot stated that the airplane was inside a locked hangar when he performed his preflight check. He said the only light available was the one coming… 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.