# NTSB LAX01LA168: Beech BE77, N3865D, Riverside, CA, May 8, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 8, 2001, 16:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: Riverside, CA - Coordinates: 33.900962, -117.399208 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9010&lon=-117.3992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 15, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52227 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52227/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA168 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain appropriate airspeed and to configure the airplane for climb-out. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - raising of flaps - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis According to the student pilot, he was practicing ground reference maneuvers over and around Lake Mathews. He said he was finishing up a few power on and power off stalls, when he thought he would practice a couple of emergency landings. He said he was familar with the procedure and had practiced them several times with no problems. The first attempt was sucessful. However, on the second attempt, he began his climb-out, flaps fully extended with full power. He was subjected to turbulence from the right, raising the right wing, at which time he lost some altitude. He regained control with aileron and rudder input. He realized that he was not climbing, instead he was losing altitude. He said that he never regained enough altitude to raise the flaps. He made a forced landing in rough terrain and thick brush, collided with a bush and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On May 8, 2001, about 1650 hours Pacific daylight time, a Beech BE77, N3865D, landed in rough terrain and brush near Riverside, California, while practicing maneuvers over and around Lake Mathews. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot received minor injuries. The training flight was operated by Riverside Air Service under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at 1600 from Riverside. According to the student pilot, he was finishing up a few power on and power off stalls, when he thought he would practice a couple of emergency landings. He was familar with the procedure and had practiced them several times with no problems. The first attempt was sucessful. However, on the second attempt, he began his climb-out with flaps fully extended and full power. He was subjected to turbulence from the right, raising the right wing, at which time he lost some altitude. He regained control with aileron and rudder input. He realized that he was not climbing, instead he was losing altitude. He said that he never regained enough altitude to raise the flaps. He was faced with a forced landing in rough terrain and thick brush. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3865D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3865D-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N WA-252, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech BE77 - Registry model: [Beech 77](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-77) (registry code 1153007) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: WA252 - Airframe hours: 4951 - Engines: Avco Lycoming O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Riverside Air Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: RAL, Riverside Muni, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: minor; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 38 total, 38 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: RAL, 8 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010508009159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010508009159A), May 8, 2001: Beech 77, Riverside, CA, Substantial damage. (.19)On may 8, 2001, about 1650 hours pacific daylight time, a Beech BE77, N3865D, operated by Riverside air service, Riverside, California, was substantially… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.