# NTSB LAX99LA156: Beech A23-24, N7965L, Yerington, NV, April 18, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 18, 1999, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Yerington, NV - Coordinates: 38.869579, -119.140274 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8696&lon=-119.1403&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46140 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46140/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA156 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power due to the pilot's failure to properly lean the engine for the high density altitude takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - high density altitude - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis The pilot indicated that no malfunctions were noted during the pretakeoff engine run-up, and, on initial climb, between 100 and 200 feet above the ground, the engine 'bogged down.' The pilot stated that he tried to regain power by adjusting the throttle and mixture controls, but 'nothing happened.' Because engine power was not restored the pilot aborted the flight. Responding sheriff deputies observed evidence that the airplane struck the ground about 803 feet north of the runway's departure end, then impacted an irrigation ditch before coming to rest 97 feet north of the ditch. The airplane was subsequently examined by the FAA, and no evidence was found of any blockage in the fuel system screens or lines. The throttle and mixture controls were intact and functional. The magnetos operated normally. The engine was operated to a low power level, and no malfunctions were noted. The fuel tanks were found at least half full of fuel. Also, no anomalies were found with the fuel selector handle. A density altitude of 5,800 feet was computed. ## Factual narrative On April 18, 1999, about 1130 hours Pacific daylight time, a Beech A23-24, N7965L, registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot, experienced a partial loss of engine power during initial climb from the uncontrolled Yerington Municipal Airport, Yerington, Nevada. The pilot made a forced landing beyond the runway's departure end and collided with a berm. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. Neither the private pilot nor the two passengers were injured. The personal flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Yerington about 1129. The pilot reported to the Safety Board investigator that the airplane's engine appeared to properly function during the engine run-up, and he proceeded to takeoff from the beginning of runway 01. After climbing between 100 and 200 feet above the ground, the engine "bogged down." The pilot stated that he tried to regain power by adjusting the throttle and mixture controls, but "nothing happened." The pilot indicated that because engine power was not restored he aborted the flight. Responding Lyon County Sheriff deputies reported observing evidence that the airplane struck the ground about 803 feet north of the runway, then impacted an irrigation ditch before coming to rest 97 feet north of the ditch. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the pilot was issued a private pilot certificate on September 24, 1997. On his certificate application he reported having logged 54.1 total flight hours. By the accident date he had a total of about 69 hours of flight time, of which about 4.9 hours were in the Beech A23-24 airplane. According to the FAA coordinator, results of the postimpact airplane examination revealed no indication of blockage in the fuel system screens or lines, and the fuel tanks were found at least half full of fuel. No anomalies were found with the fuel selector handle. The throttle and mixture controls were intact and functional. The magnetos operated normally. The engine was operated to a low power level, and no malfunctions were noted. Based on the weather report at the Reno, Nevada, airport, a density altitude of 5,800 feet was computed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7965L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7965L-2001-10-22), registration cancelled 2001-10-22, S/N MA-123, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech A23-24 - Registry model: [Beech A23-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23-24) (registry code 1151226) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: MA-123 - Airframe hours: 3010 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A2B 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Christopher E. Barbera - Registered owner: D. G. Eberlein & E.H. Barbera - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 1998, 68 hours before - Departed: O43 - Airport: 043, Yerington Municipal, runway 1, 5,800 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 69 total, 5 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RNO, 47 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 19990418019599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990418019599A), Apr 18, 1999: Beech A2324, Yerington, NV, Substantial damage. On April 18, 1999, about 1130 hours pacific daylight time, a Beech A23-24, registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot, experienced a loss of… 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.