# NTSB LAX83FA279: Beech 95-B55, N6610K, Van Nuys, CA, June 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1983, 14:29 local (21:29 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA
- Coordinates: 34.20074, -118.440124 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2007&lon=-118.4401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23464
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA279
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23464/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA279

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AFTER A LOSS OF CONTROL BY THE PLT. THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THROUGH AN OVERCAST IN IFR CONDITIONS AND LAST REPORTED 'FOUR' IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST FOR ALTITUDE. THIS WAS THE LAST RADIO TRANSMISSION RECEIVED FROM THE FLT. THE ACFT WAS SEEN BY WITNESSES DIVING VERTICALLY FROM THE CLOUDS. IT LEVELED OFF FOR A SHORT WHILE AND THEN WENT INTO A NOSE-UP 90 DEGREE BANK AT LOW ALTITUDE. IT CONTACTED THE GROUND IN A 90 DEGREE LEFT BANK AND CARTWHEELED. A TOTAL OF FIVE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES, THREE AUTOMOBILES AND SOME LANDSCAPING RECEIVED DAMAGE IN THE ACCIDENT. NO PERSONS ON THE GROUND WERE INJURED. THE WEATHER WAS REPORTED AS 1500 FT OVERCAST WITH TOPS 4000 TO 4300 FT.VISIBILITY 2 MILES IN HAZE. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED BOTH ENGINES OPERATING AT IMPACT. ALL ACFT COMPONENTS WERE ACCOUNTED FOR AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. SOME SMALL ITEMS OF FAIRING AND ALUMINUM SKIN WERE FOUND ALONG THE FLT PATH FORA DISTANCE OF 2 BLOCKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6610K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6610K-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N TC-903, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95-B55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC903
- Airframe hours: 2132
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-E2B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Walter L. Martindale
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1982, 60 hours before
- Departed: BUR, BURBANK, CA
- Destination: PRB, PASO ROBLES, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BUR, Burbank, runway 15, 6,902 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,000 total, 2,100 in this make and model, 5,750 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BUR, 3 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 19830611024759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830611024759A), Jun 11, 1983: Beech 95B55, Van Nuys, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Indicates pilot lost control trying to climb to VFR on top. Lacked six month skill level for IFR.

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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