# NTSB LAX83LA406: Beech F33A, N3737L, San Carlos, CA, August 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1983, 17:19 local (Aug 24, 1983, 00:19 UTC)
- Place: San Carlos, CA
- Coordinates: 37.489917, -122.259765 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4899&lon=-122.2598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23832
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA406
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23832/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA406

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - level off - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE FINAL APPROACH SEQUENCE HE ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND FOLLOWED BY IMMEDIATE SINKING OF THE ACFT, CAUSING THE ACFT TO BOUNCE. DURING THE RECOVERY FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING, THE NOSE GEAR STRUCK THE RWY & COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3737L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3737L), registered now, S/N CE-929, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH F33A
- Registry model: [Beech F33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (registry code 1151425) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CE929
- Airframe hours: 306
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Coit Drapery Cleaners, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1983, 20 hours before
- Departed: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA
- Airport: SQL, San Carlos, runway 30, 2,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 412 total, 40 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SQL

## 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 19830823045379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830823045379A), Aug 23, 1983: Beech F33A, San Carlos, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced and came down hard on the nosewheel on landing. Impact collapsed the nose gear.

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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