# NTSB LAX85LA138: Beech BE-18, N81DA, Santa Maria, CA, February 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1985, 07:28 local (15:28 UTC)
- Place: Santa Maria, CA
- Coordinates: 34.910007, -120.230613 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9100&lon=-120.2306&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): 24649
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24649/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA138

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - separation (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPTD THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT ON RWY 30, A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE ACFT RIGHT WING TO LIFT. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE UPLIFTING WING AND THE ACFT ENTERED INTO A LEFT GROUNDLOOP MANEUVER & EXITED THE RWY. THE LOCAL CONTROLLER REPORTED THE PLT REQUESTED & RECEIVED LANDING INSTRUCTION ABOUT 8 MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT & THE ACFT WAS CLEARED FOR A STRAIGHT IN APCH TO RWY 30. THE SURFACE WINDS WERE 320 DEGS AT 8 KTS. APRX 4 MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT REQUESTED AND RECEIVED THE SURFACE WIND INFORMATION. THE WINDS WERE FROM 360 DEGS AT 14 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81DA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81DA-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N BA-647, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH BE-18
- Registry model: [Beech H-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h-18) (registry code 1151012) (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: BA-647
- Airframe hours: 8584
- Engines: P&W R985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Coast Air Freight, doing business as Coast Airways
- Registered owner: Jeff S. Sanders
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ONT, ONTARIO, CA
- Airport: SMX, Santa Maria, runway 30, 6,300 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,030 total, 400 in this make and model, 5,940 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMX

## 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 19850213003159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850213003159A), Feb 13, 1985: Beech H18, Santa Maria, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control during crosswind landing. Winds varied in direction and speed. Right gear separated.

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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