Beech 95-C55 accident near Fullerton, California, July 3, 1990
On July 3, 1990 at about 11:47 pm local time, a Beech 95-C55, registered N5852J, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fullerton, California (Fullerton airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO DETECT AN INCORRECT RUDDER TRIM ADJUSTMENT, HIS FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE PRESCRIBED PRE-TAKEOFF INSTRUCTIONS THAT CALL FOR THE TRIM TO BE ADJUSTED. THE COLLISION WITH THE FENCE AND THE INCORRECT RUDDER TRIM ADJUSTMENT WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 3, 1990 · about 11:47 pm local time
- Place
- Fullerton, California · Fullerton
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 95-C55 · all 95-C55s on the register
- Registration
- N5852J · no longer on the register · serial TE-1
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
AFTER CONDUCTION HIS WALK AROUND PREFLIGHT CHECK, THE PILOT AND HIS TWO PASSENGERS ENPLANED FOR A MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT. THE RUDDER TRIM WAS TRIMMED TO A LEFT 22 DEGREE POSITION. THE AIRCRAFT ACCELERATED TO 95 MPH AND AS THE PILOT APPLIED BACK CONTROL PRESSURE FOR LIFT OFF HE FELT A LOSS OF POWER AND ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE TAKE OFF. THE AIRCAFT CONTINUED THE GROUND ROLL UNTIL IT IMPACTED A FENCE AND CAREENED ACROSS A STREET BEFORE COMING TO A STOP IN AN UPRIGHT ATTITUDE.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 600 hours in all; 19 in this make and model; 125 in the last 90 days; 65 in the last 30 days; 500 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,300 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO520C/CB (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Wings Aviation, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: FUL at 11:47 pm
- Destination: FUL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 3,121 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.