# NTSB LAX78FA018: Beech C-23, N9723L, Mojave, CA, January 2, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: January 2, 1978
- Place: Mojave, CA · MOJAVE, CA
- Location: 35.0525° N, 118.1740° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mojave, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0525&lon=-118.1740&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 8, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143235
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX78FA018
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FA018

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0384   78/1/2  NR.MOJAVE,CA          BEECH C-23          CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 25, 150
        TIME - 1617                    N9723L              PX-  3  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 10 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MAMMOUTH,CA                 SANTA BARBARA,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      52
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          100                                                       4
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9723L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9723L-2009-09-18), registration cancelled 2009-09-18, S/N M-1354, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C-23
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19780102005459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780102005459A), Jan 2, 1978: Beech C23, Mojave,Ca, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal

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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