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NTSB Report

December 6, 2018 · Beech 36 A36TC · N361TC

Los Banos, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 6, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Los Banos, CA
Aircraft
Beech 36 A36TC (1980)
Tail Number
N361TC
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR19LA039

After almost 1 hour of flight, the pilot turned onto the left base leg of the traffic pattern at the destination airport, where he intended to practice takeoffs and landings. During the turn, the engine began to sputter. The pilot turned toward the runway and tried to maintain clearance from trees located on the outside of the airport perimeter fence; however, the propeller and landing gear impacted the fence. The airplane came to rest upright about 5 ft from the runway edge, resulting in substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no anomalies. The fuel selector handle had been removed, but the rod that rotated the valve remained intact and attached to the unit. The fuel selector was disassembled, and the ring was found located between detents. Based on its position, it may have been positioned between the left- and right-wing tip tanks; however, the position of the fuel selector at the time of the loss of engine power could not be determined. The pilot reported that there were 74 gallons of fuel onboard at the time of departure; however, neither the distribution of the fuel nor the fuel onboard at the time of the accident was determined. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB Probable Cause

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

Full Narrative

On December 6, 2018, at 1230 Pacific standard time, a Beech A36TC airplane, N361TC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Los Banos, California. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot departed about 1145 and reported that he planned to practice landings at the destination airport. He entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern at the destination, and as he made the left base turn, the engine began to sputter. The pilot turned toward the runway and tried to maintain clearance from trees located on the outside of the airport perimeter fence; however, the propeller and landing gear impacted the fence. The airplane came to rest upright about 5 ft from the runway edge, resulting in substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no anomalies. The fuel selector handle had been removed, but the rod that rotated the valve remained intact and attached to the unit. The fuel selector was disassembled, and the ring was found located between detents. Based on its position, it may have been positioned between the left- and right-wing tip tanks; however, the position of the fuel selector at the time of the loss of engine power could not be determined. The pilot reported that there were 74 gallons of fuel onboard at the time of departure; however, neither the distribution of the fuel, nor the fuel onboard at the time of the accident, were determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 PST
Nearest AirportLos Banos Muni (0nm E)
Runway32
Runway Length3801 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 36 A36TC
Tail NumberN361TC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-550-B-RA · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 50
Altimeter29.92 inHg
Observation Time20:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data