# NTSB LAX06LA249: Beech V35B, N346D, Independence, CA, July 28, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 28, 2006, 15:27 local (22:27 UTC) - Place: Independence, CA - Coordinates: 34.774166, -118.321388 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7742&lon=-118.3214&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64241 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06LA249 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64241/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA249 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight planning regarding the selection of the altitude and route of flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain in a box canyon after encountering mountain wave. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, climb - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - vfr procedures - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane collided with terrain in a box canyon during the en route climb. The planned route of flight was westbound over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The pilot indicated that downdrafts from a mountain wave prevented the airplane from climbing. The airplane was in a box canyon, and she had no room to turn toward lower terrain. The pilot landed the airplane in a clearing near a road. The airplane sustained substantial damage in the rough terrain. ## Factual narrative On July 28, 2006, about 1527 Pacific daylight time, a Beech V35B, N346D, collided with terrain near Independence, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight departed Independence about 1520, with a planned destination of Madera Municipal Airport, Madera, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. While en route from Las Vegas to San Francisco, the pilot experienced a loss of electrical power and landed at Independence. After charging the airplane’s battery, the pilot departed for Madera, where repairs to the electrical system could be made. While climbing over the lee side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, 8 miles west of Independence, the pilot encountered a mountain wave activity and was unable to climb. The airplane was in a box canyon, and she had no room to turn toward lower terrain. The pilot landed the airplane in a clearing near a road about 50 miles per hour. The airplane sustained substantial damage in the rough terrain. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N346D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N346D-2006-09-15), registration cancelled 2006-09-15, S/N D-10108, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech V35B - Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-10108 - Airframe hours: 2545 - Engines: Lycoming IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rosemarie Pelfrey - Registered owner: Rosemarie Pelfrey - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2006, 6 hours before - Departed: 2O7, Independence, CA - Destination: MAE, Madera, CA - Airport: 2O7, Independence ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,245 total, 1,165 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: BIH, 37 nm away 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.