Beechcraft V35A N7944R

Summary

On 31 December 2005 at about 16:00 local time, a Beechcraft V35A registered N7944R was involved in an accident near Valley Center, California, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 December 2005 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Valley Center, California, United States

Nearest airport

Blackington Airpark (2CA4)

Coordinates

33.2500, -117.1000

Aircraft

Beechcraft V35A

Registration

N7944R

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Valley Center → Borrego Springs

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX06FA075

3 people died.

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin following a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb, resulting in a stall/spin. While the laboratory tests indicated the presence of an unknown biological contaminant in the fuel manifold valve, the amount of contamination could not be established and thus the underlying reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane collided with terrain following a loss of control during the takeoff/initial climb. This airplane was the last of five airplanes that were traveling to another airport for the group's overnight trip. Witnesses heard a loud bang as the airplane reached about 800 feet above ground level (agl). They observed the airplane roll once or twice as the nose went down. The airplane came to rest with the tail in an avocado tree and was largely consumed by fire. Investigators could not establish control continuity due to the extensive mechanical and thermal damage. Investigators disassembled the fuel manifold valve. The screen, interior, and the line going to the pressure gauge had a thin coating of a viscous amber substance that had a strong, foul odor. The most likely source of the residue appeared to be biological contamination of the fuel, based on the major peaks in the gas chromatography with a mass spectrometer detector (GC/MS) spectra for the fatty acids and fatty nitriles having even numbers of carbon atoms. None of the additives or sealants approved by Teledyne Continental Motors appeared in the GC/MS identification, and it did not appear that the compounds identified in the spectra could be simple breakdown or combustion products of the approved additives or sealants. The substance did not clog the valve or screen. The fuel nozzles were open. Investigators found no anomalies that would have prevented normal operation or production of rated power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.