# NTSB LAX73AL013: Beech D18S, N281H, Santa Maria, CA, September 13, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 13, 1972
- Place: Santa Maria, CA · SANTA MARIA, CA
- Location: 34.9331° N, 120.4436° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Santa Maria, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9331&lon=-120.4436&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 27, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 168215
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX73AL013
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73AL013

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3632  72/9/13    SANTA MARIA,CALIF   BEECH D18S          CR-  0  0  2  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0154                    N281H               PX-  0  0  0  CTR CARGO-D               AGE 26, 2768 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            1316 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT -  SANTA MARIA PUB
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LOS ANGELES,CALIF           SANTA MARIA,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           UNDERSHOOT                                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLIDED WITH: ELECTRONIC TOWERS                         LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IFR OPERATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DELAYED IN INITIATING GO-AROUND
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT FACILITIES: APPROACH LIGHTING
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - CREW COORDINATION-POOR
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INSTRUMENTS-MISREAD OR FAILED TO READ
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  100
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/2 MILE OR LESS                                         NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          FOG                                                      IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR
        REMARKS- PLT SAID APCH LTS WERE TOO BRIGHT.ACFT WENT BLO GLIDE SLOPE,HIT MIDDLE MRKR,ABORTED LDG.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N281H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N281H-2009-10-14), registration cancelled 2009-10-14, S/N AF-694 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D18S
- Registry model: [Beech C-45H](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-45h) (registry code 1151018) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport:  Santa Maria Pub

## Other investigations on N281H (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 FTW77FRG31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FRG31), Mar 25, 1977: Beech C45H (N281H), San Benito, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX74AL016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74AL016), Aug 17, 1973: Beech C-45H (N281H), Los Angeles, CA, 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.

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