# NTSB LAX06LA231: Beech C35, N715D, Beckwourth, CA, July 15, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 15, 2006, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Beckwourth, CA - Coordinates: 39.818611, -120.352775 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8186&lon=-120.3528&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64120 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06LA231 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64120/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA231 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch - landing gear,nose gear - sheared - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot lost directional control on the landing roll, and veered off the runway into a ditch. He said that he executed a normal touchdown, but encountered a crosswind gust that made the airplane veer off the right side of the runway. While attempting to recover, the right main struck a runway light. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway about 100 feet into a deep storm drain. The nose gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot and passenger noticed a fire begin in the engine compartment. The door was jammed, so they exited through the left rear window. The post impact fire destroyed the airplane. The pilot said that line personnel responded, but the fire extinguisher was not charged. It took emergency (volunteer) services about 45 minutes to respond to the site. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Factual narrative On July 15, 2006, about 0845 Pacific daylight time, a Beech C35, N715D, veered off the side of the runway, encountered obstacles and terrain, and nosed over at Nervino Airport, Beckwourth, California. The owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries; the airplane was destroyed. The cross-country personal flight departed Willits, California, about 0700, with a planned destination of Nervino. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot submitted a written report. He said that he executed a normal touchdown at Nervino. He encountered a crosswind gust that made the airplane veer off the right side of the runway. While attempting to recover, the right main struck a runway light. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway about 100 feet into a deep storm drain. The nose gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot and passenger noticed a fire begin in the engine compartment. The door was jammed, so they exited through the left rear window. The post impact fire destroyed the airplane. The pilot said that line personnel responded, but the fire extinguisher was not charged. It took emergency (volunteer) services about 45 minutes to respond to the site. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N715D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N715D-2017-06-07), registration cancelled 2017-06-07, S/N D-2986, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech C35 - Registry model: [Beech C35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c35) (registry code 1151508) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-2986 - Engines: Continental E-225 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Leon J Duste - Registered owner: LJD Investments LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Willits, CA - Destination: Beckwourth, CA - Airport: O02, Nervino Airport, runway 25, 4,651 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: minor; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 20 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: TRK, 32 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 20060715013959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060715013959A), Jul 15, 2006: Beech C35BEECH, Beckwourth, CA, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot lost directional control of aircraft during landing. Aircraft skidded off runway, hit a culvert and flipped over. Aircraft caught on fire. The… 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.