# NTSB LAX83FA256: Beech H35, N391B, Antioch, CA, May 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1983, 18:50 local (May 31, 1983, 01:50 UTC)
- Place: Antioch, CA
- Coordinates: 37.990028, -121.810554 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9900&lon=-121.8106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23457
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23457/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA256

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE DURING FLT IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND. WITNESSES DESCRIBED THE PATTERN AS BEING CLOSE IN, SLOW AND LOW COMPARED TO NORMAL TRAFFIC. THE ATTITUDE OF THE ACFT WAS DESCRIBED AS NOSE HIGH. AS THE ACFT TURNED TO FINAL APPROACH THE LEFT WING DROPPED AND THE ACFT WENT INTO A STEEP NOSE DOWN DESCENT. THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND AT A NOSE LOW ANGLE OF 27 DEGREES AND CAME TO REST. NO GROUND SCARS WERE FOUND BEYOND THE INITIALPOINT OF CONTACT. THE LOWER FUSELAGE DUG ABOUT 16 INCHES INTO THE GROUND. NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND IN THE EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT. THE PLTS TRAINING WAS UNUSUAL. HIS FIRST 31 HOURS OF 'DUAL' ARE UNSIGNED AND A WITNESS SAID THE INSTRUCTION WAS GIVEN BY A PRIVATE PLT. THE REMAINDER OF HIS 46 HOURS OF INSTRUCTION CAME FROM 2 DIFFERENT INSTRUCTOR, ABOUT 11 HOURS FROM ONE AND ABOUT 4 HOURS FROM THE OTHER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N391B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N391B-2012-11-14), registration cancelled 2012-11-14, S/N D-5218, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H35
- Registry model: [Beech H35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h35) (registry code 1151520) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D5218
- Airframe hours: 4310
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-G 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry R. Ferdig
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1982, 202 hours before
- Departed: APC, NAPA, CA
- Destination: 012, ANTIOCH, CA
- Airport: 012, Antioch, runway 27, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 138 total, 138 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CCR, 13 nm away

## 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 19830530021439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830530021439A), May 30, 1983: Beech H35, Antioch, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Stalled during a slow nose high steep turn on approach to the runway. Impact velocity non survivable.

## Other investigations on N391B (1)

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 LAX80FVM08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FVM08), Dec 5, 1979: Beech H35 (N391B), San Jose, 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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