# NTSB LAX85LA090: Beech C45H, N636CF, Littlefield, AZ, December 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1984, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Littlefield, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.900474, -113.940795 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9005&lon=-113.9408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24621
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24621/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA090

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED LOW CEILINGS & FOG IN THE MOUNTAIN PASSES. AFTER SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO CROSS THE MOUNTAINS HE BELIEVED HE DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT FUEL ON BOARD TO REACH ANY AIRPORTS TO THE SOUTH SO HE SELECTED A FLAT MESA & EXECUTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. THE TERRAIN WAS SMOOTH BUT SOFT & THE ACFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N636CF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N636CF-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N AF-636, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C45H
- Registry model: [Beech C-45H](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-45h) (registry code 1151018) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AF636
- Airframe hours: 5375
- Engines: P&W 985AN14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John B. Mellish
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 1983, 35 hours before
- Departed: IGM, KINGMAN, AZ
- Destination: SGU, ST GEORGE, UT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,954 total, 35 in this make and model, 3,650 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F

## 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 19841211068949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841211068949A), Dec 11, 1984: Beech C45H, Littlefield, AZ, Substantial damage. Landed on mesa after being unable to remain VFR thru mountain passes. Low on fuel. Aircraft nosed ove in soft sand.

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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