# NTSB LAX85FA213: Beech F33A, N22BW, Goleta, CA, April 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1985, 20:22 local (Apr 21, 1985, 04:22 UTC)
- Place: Goleta, CA
- Coordinates: 34.500904, -120.120117 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5009&lon=-120.1201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24492
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24492/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA213

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHEN THE PLT WAS ADVISED THE DESTN ARPT (SANTA YNEZ) WAS DIRECTLY AHEAD AT 12 MI, HE REQUESTED A FREQ CHANGE & RADAR SVC WAS TERMINATED. ABOUT 9 MIN LATER, HE REESTABLISHED RADIO CONTACT (WITH ARTCC) & REPORTED HE WAS NOT SURE OF HIS PSN. THE CONTROLLER TOLD THE PLT THE ACFT WAS TOO LOW FOR HIS RADAR & ADVISED HIM TO CONTACT SANTA BARBARA RAPCON FOR ASSISTANCE. AFTER CONTACTING RAPCON, HE REPORTED HE WAS DISORIENTED & WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE DESTN ARPT. THE ACFT WAS RADAR IDENTIFIED & THE PLT CONFIRMED A MODE C ALT OF 1300'. HE WAS CAUTIONED ABOUT THE TERRAIN ELEV & WAS GIVEN A HDG TOFLY. THE PLT SAID HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE TERRAIN. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, RADIO & RADAR CONTACT WERE LOST. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT ENTERED A DSCNT, CRASHED & BURNED ABOUT 8 MI SOUTH OF SANTA YNEZ, NEAR THE COAST. IMPACT WAS ON ROLLING TERRAINAT AN ELEV OF APRX 95' MSL. THE TERRAIN ROSE TO APRX 4000' BTN THE CRASH SITE & THE ARPT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS OF THE PLT'S SPLEEN & LIVER FLUIDS SHOWED ALCOHOL LVLS OF 0.124% & 0.130%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22BW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22BW-2013-02-07), registration cancelled 2013-02-07, S/N CE-476, built 1973 (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: CE-476
- Airframe hours: 2417
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-D 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Scott G. Leeth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 13, 1984, 112 hours before
- Departed: EMT, EL MONTE, CA
- Destination: IZA, SANTA YNEZ, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total, 400 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBA, 10 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 19850420016109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850420016109A), Apr 20, 1985: Beech F33A, Goleta, CA, Destroyed. Alcohol a major factor in pilot becoming disoriented and lost. Made steep controlled descent to ground impact.

## Other investigations on N22BW (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 LAX73DVA68](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73DVA68), Jun 21, 1973: Beech A24R (N22BW), Lost Hills, 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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