# NTSB LAX82DA340: Beech C23, N4357W, Bear Valley, CA, September 11, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1982, 12:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Bear Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 38.349864, -120.199928 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3499&lon=-120.1999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69903
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA340
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69903/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA340

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED LONG AND FAST ON THE RUNWAY. HE WAS USING RUNWAY 19 AND THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTH AT 15-20 KTS. HE LANDED AND WHILE STILL ROLLING AT 65 KTS INITIATED A GO-AROUND. HE DID NOT CLIMB HIGH ENOUGH TO CLEAR SMALL TREE AND AFTER COLLIDING WITH THEM HE CRASHED AND BURNED. THE PILOT WAS SERIOUSLY BURNED BUT SURVIVED BY JUMPING INTO A NEAR-BY STREAM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4357W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4357W-2012-11-21), registration cancelled 2012-11-21, S/N M-1575, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C23
- 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
- Serial number: M-1575
- Airframe hours: 1100
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4J 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James W. Pynchon
- Registered owner: James W. Pynchon
- Departed: AI, SANTA MARIA, CA
- Destination: AC, BEAR VALLEY, CA
- Airport: 0Q0, Bear Valley Stolport, runway 19, 3,000 × 100 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 621 total, 621 in this make and model, 522 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 162 °F

## 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 19820911045229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820911045229A), Sep 11, 1982: Beech C23, Bear Valley, CA, Destroyed. Tried to land on short dirt strip downwind. Then tried a belated go-around. Struck trees, crashed and burned.

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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