# NTSB LAX83FA003: Beech 95-55, N72RT, Flagstaff, AZ, October 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1982, 02:10 local (09:10 UTC)
- Place: Flagstaff, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.230026, -111.719673 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2300&lon=-111.7197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70685
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70685/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA003

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

TWO WITNESSES REPORTED THAT BETWEEN 0130 & 0200 THEY OBSERVED AN ACFT PERFORMING DIVES, LOOPS, INVERTED FLIGHT & BUZZINGA LAKE. THEY STOPPED THEIR VEHICLE & CONTINUED TO OBSERVE THE ACFT. THE ACFT THEN DEPARTED BUT RETURNED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE LAKE IS LOCATED ABOUT 5 MI SOUTH OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN ABOUT A 90 DEG NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE PLT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.142%. ALL OF THE PASSENGERS BLOOD LEVEL WERE POSITIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72RT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72RT-1985-01-31), registration cancelled 1985-01-31, S/N TC-1403 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95-55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-1403
- Airframe hours: 2132
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Taylor & Taylor Farms, Inc.
- Registered owner: Taylor & Taylor Farms, Inc.
- Departed: FLG, FLAGSTAFF, AZ
- Destination: FLG, FLAGSTAFF, AZ
- Airport: FLG, Pulliam Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,431 total, 150 in this make and model, 1,442 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 115 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19821003050159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821003050159A), Oct 3, 1982: Beech 95B55, Flagstaff, AZ, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Aircraft was observed buzzing area and performing low altitude acrobatics. Pilot and passengers high alcohol level.

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.