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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

July 23, 1997 · Beech 77 · N1848F

Lakeport, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lakeport, CA
Aircraft
Beech 77
Tail Number
N1848F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX97LA254

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.'

NTSB 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).

Full 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."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 77
Tail NumberN1848F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 3 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data