# NTSB LAX05CA297: Beech C23, N9331S, Jiggs, NV, September 5, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 5, 2005, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Jiggs, NV
- Coordinates: 40.433334, -115.75
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4333&lon=-115.7500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62457
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA297
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62457/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA297

## Probable cause

the pilot's encounter with a downdraft.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence post

## Analysis

The airplane collided with obstructions while performing a forced landing in a field.  The pilot reported he experienced a severe downdraft with a descent rate in excess of 1,500 feet per minute at best rate of climb airspeed that made continued flight impossible.  The pilot was forced to make an emergency landing in a field.  After touchdown and during the rollout phase the left wing impacted a steel livestock gate.  The pilot reported that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

## Factual narrative

This report is based on information received by the NTSB.  Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case.  For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9331S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9331S-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N M-1641, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech C23
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-1641
- Airframe hours: 4309
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4J 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 2005, 30 hours before
- Departed: TWF, TWIN FALLS, ID
- Destination: TPH, TONOPAH, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 224 total, 216 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: EKO, 30 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 20050905023559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050905023559A), Sep 5, 2005: Beech C23, Jiggs, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot hit a fence with the aircraft when attempting to make an emergency landing in an open field. Pilot stated that he encountered a down draft from…

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.