# NTSB LAX79FA049: Beech D-50, N16MM, Julian, CA, May 5, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 5, 1979
- Place: Julian, CA · JULIAN, CA
- Location: 33.0735° N, 116.5889° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Julian, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0735&lon=-116.5889&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 24, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135475
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79FA049
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA049

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2778   79/5/5  NR.JULIAN,CA          BEECH D-50          CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 38, 800
        TIME - 1505                    N16MM               PX-  4  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 28 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - BUTTERFIELD RANCH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BUTTERFIELD RANCH,CA        SAN DIEGO,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      68
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          240                                                       40
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- WINDS AT MTN PEAKS GUSTING TO 60KTS.ACFT OBSERVED TO CLIMB OUT DIRECT TO MTN RIDGE 3200FT ABV ARPT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16MM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16MM-2009-06-30), registration cancelled 2009-06-30, S/N DH-16, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D-50
- Registry model: [Beech D-50](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d-50) (registry code 1152512) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (registry code 41527, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Butterfield Ranch

## 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 19790505027259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790505027259A), May 5, 1979: Beech 50, Julian, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Aircraft encountered strong downdrafts and was unable to clear high terrain.

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.