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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 30, 1994 · Beech 95-B55 · N814U

Calexico, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 30, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Calexico, CA
Aircraft
Beech 95-B55
Tail Number
N814U
Operator
John N Osterkamp
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX94LA229

The pilot cleared U. S. Customs at Calexico, CA, and was on the ground for about 10 minutes. He said that after taxiing to the end of the runway he noticed a lull in the traffic and decided to immediately takeoff without performing a pretakeoff power or aircraft configuration check. The pilot said that he was reaching for the landing gear control just after liftoff when the left engine failed. The aircraft yawed and banked to the left and, before the pilot could regain control, the left wing tip contacted the ground. The aircraft cartwheeled to a stop off the left side of the runway. The aircraft was examined and the fuel quantity gauge selector switch was positioned to the main fuel tanks while the fuel selectors were positioned to the auxiliary fuel tanks. The left and right main fuel tanks contained 16 and 20 gallons, respectively, while the auxiliary tanks had less than 5 gallons. Fuel system continuity was established with no evidence of postaccident leakage noted.

NTSB Probable Cause

1) the pilot's failure to correctly position the fuel selectors prior to takeoff, 2) the resultant fuel starvation failure of the left engine in the takeoff initial climb, and 3) the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft.

Full Narrative

On May 30, 1994, at 1515 Pacific daylight time, a Beech 95-B55, N814U, collided with the ground following a loss of control during the takeoff initial climb at the Calexico International Airport, Calexico, California. The loss of control was precipitated by a loss of power in the left engine just after liftoff from the runway. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and his one passenger were not injured. The flight was originating at the time for a local area personal flight to Brawley, California. In a verbal statement, the pilot reported that the flight originated in Loretto, Mexico, and had made a stop at Calexico to clear U. S. Customs. The aircraft was on the ground for about 10 minutes. He said that after taxiing to the end of the runway he noticed a lull in the traffic and decided to immediately takeoff without performing a pretakeoff power or aircraft configuration check. The pilot said that he was reaching for the landing gear control just after liftoff when the left engine failed. The aircraft yawed and banked to the left and, before the pilot could regain control, the left wing tip contacted the ground. The aircraft cartwheeled to a stop off the left side of the runway. The aircraft was examined by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors from the San Diego, California, Flight Standards District Office. The inspectors reported that the fuel quantity gauge selector switch was positioned to the main fuel tanks while the fuel selectors were positioned to the auxiliary fuel tanks. The left and right main fuel tanks contained 16 and 20 gallons, respectively, while the auxiliary tanks had less than 5 gallons. Fuel system continuity was established with no evidence of postaccident leakage noted. The pilot noted that he did not have the boost bump switches selected to the low position during the takeoff ground roll. According to the pilot operating handbook for the aircraft, low boost pump should be selected when the outside air temperature exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit or when fuel pressure fluctuations exist. The prevailing outside air temperature was reported to be 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 PDT
Nearest AirportCalexico International (0nm)
Runway26
Runway Length4330 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 95-B55
Tail NumberN814U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn N Osterkamp
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 72 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 8 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data