Beech C-45H accident near Oakland, California, March 7, 1993
On March 7, 1993 at about 11:02 am local time, a Beech C-45H, registered N494, was destroyed in an accident near Oakland, California (Oakland airport). It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A PREMATURE LIFT OFF AND INADVERTENT STALL BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS INSUFFICIENT AVAILABLE AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE DATA AFTER A FERRY TANK INSTALLATION AND BOTH PILOTS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 7, 1993 · about 11:02 am local time
- Place
- Oakland, California · Oakland · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech C-45H · all C-45Hs on the register
- Registration
- N494 · no longer on the register · serial AF-466
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE NON-CERTIFICATED FOREIGN MILITARY PILOT (FIRST PILOT) AND A U.S. CERTIFICATED AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT (SECOND PILOT) PLANNED TO FERRY AN AIRPLANE TO AUSTRALIA WITH AN INTERMEDIATE STOP IN HAWAII. AUXILIARY FUEL AND ENGINE OIL TANKS WERE INSTALLED IN THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN AUTHORIZED A SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE FOR OVER GROSS WEIGHT OPERATIONS FOR THE FERRY FLIGHT. THE FIRST PILOT HAD ACCRUED 50 HOURS AND THE SECOND PILOT ACCRUED 25 HOURS IN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE PRIOR TO THE OVERWEIGHT DEPARTURE. DURING THE TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE AT 100 KNOTS OF AIRSPEED. THE AIRPLANE PITCHED UP AND BEGAN TO DUTCH ROLL. AT ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND DESCENDED TO THE RUNWAY. A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE CABIN AREA.
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: military, student
- Flight time: 2,400 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 82 in the last 90 days; 25 in the last 30 days; 1,811 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,480 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 23, 1993; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 11,375 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: P&W R-985-AN14B (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Aus Ex CORP.
The flight
- Departed from: OAK at 11:02 am
- Destination: HNL Honolulu HI
- Flight plan: VFR then IFR
- Runway 29, 10,000 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night, bright
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:02 am from OAK, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.