# NTSB LAX07CA237: Beech C35, N8973A, Redlands, CA, July 28, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 28, 2007, 10:44 local (17:44 UTC) - Place: Redlands, CA - Coordinates: 34.085277, -117.145553 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0853&lon=-117.1456&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66376 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA237 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66376/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA237 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis While on short final the pilot stalled the airplane and it impacted rough/uneven terrain. After the pilot announced his intention to land, another pilot radioed that he was preparing to takeoff on the same runway. The accident pilot said he slowed his airplane down to allow the other airplane to depart. He heard the stall warning horn, and then applied power in an attempt to maintain the airplane's speed and altitude above the ground. He lost control of the airplane, and it impacted the ground close to the approach end of the runway. ## Factual narrative On July 28, 2007, about 1044 Pacific daylight time, a Beech C35, N8973A, collided with terrain near Redlands Municipal Airport, Redlands, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local area flight departed Redlands about 1000. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a statement to local law enforcement official, the pilot stated that he was flying in the pattern and had announced his intention to land on runway 26. Another pilot responded, indicating that he was preparing to depart from the same runway. The pilot stated that he then slowed the airplane down to allow the other airplane time to depart; he then heard the stall warning horn. The pilot reported that he 'attempted to accelerate' but was unable to maintain control, and stalled. The airplane collided with terrain about 1/2 mile short of runway 26. An FAA inspector responded to the accident scene to assess the damage. He reported that the left main landing gear had sheared at its pivot point and had protruded through the top wing skin. The right main landing gear had buckled at its spar mounting points, and the nose landing gear had snapped at the oleo strut. The lower portion of the firewall was split and buckled. Both wings exhibited buckled skins between the wing root and the main landing gear. A review of the FAA airman records revealed that the pilot held a combined student pilot and aviation medical certificate. The date on the medical certificate indicated it had been issued on July 16, 2002. The pilot submitted a partially completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8973A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8973A-2014-05-14), registration cancelled 2014-05-14, S/N D-2727, 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-2727 - Airframe hours: 5600 - Engines: Continental E185 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jack A. Buhl - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2007 - Departed: L12, Redlands, CA - Airport: L12, Redlands Municipal Airport, runway 26, 4,505 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 83; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 1,680 total, 200 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RAL, 17 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 20070728018519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070728018519A), Jul 28, 2007: Beech C35BEECH, Redlands, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot claims that another aircraft was taking off while he was landing. Pilot stated that he took action by retracting his landing gears and… ## Other investigations on N8973A (2) 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. - [NTSB LAX68F0387](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68F0387), Apr 11, 1968: Beech C35 (N8973A), Santa Ana, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB LAX68F0208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68F0208), Nov 7, 1967: Beech C35 (N8973A), Phoenix, AZ, substantial damage 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.