LAX84LA112
NTSB Identification: LAX84LA112 .
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 23208.
Accident occurred Thursday, December 22, 1983 in MODESTO, CA
Aircraft: BEECH H35, registration: N5441D
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

THE PLT TAXIED & INITIATED A TAKEOFF WITHOUT OBTAINING A CLEARANCE. THE TOWER CONTROLLER OBSERVED THE ACFT TAKE OFF, IMMEDIATELY TURN LEFT, THEN COLLIDE WITH A 10 FT DIRT BANK, LOCATED BETWEEN THE PARALLEL RWYS. AFTER HITTING THE DIRT BANK, THE ACFT SKIDDED ACROSS AN ADJOINING TAXIWAY BEFORE COMING TO REST. THE PLT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED & HOSPITALIZED. PRIOR TO EXPIRING ON 1/2/84 HE TOLD HIS WIFE THAT THE ENG QUIT DURING TAKEOFF & HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE TRYING TO RESTART THE ENG. HE REPORTEDLY SAID THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO SET THE ACFT DOWN ON A PARALLEL RWY. ALSO, HIS WIFE & A POLICE OFFICER STATED THE PLT TOLD THEM THAT HE 'BLACKED OUT' DURING THE TAKEOFF SEQUENCE. DURING AN EXAM OF THE ACFT, THE MAIN FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. NO ENG MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. AUTOPSYREVEALED EVIDENCE OF A DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS WITH A PULMONARY EMBOLUS WITH GENERALIZED CEREBRAL ARTERIOSCEROSIS, CORONARRY ARTERIOSCLEROSIS, & ARTERIAL NEPHROSCLEROSIS.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

AIRCRAFT HANDLING..UNCONTROLLED..PILOT IN COMMAND
REASON FOR OCCURRENCE UNDETERMINED
INCAPACITATION(OTHER CARDIOVASCULAR)..PILOT IN COMMAND
INCAPACITATION(LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS)..PILOT IN COMMAND

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