# NTSB LAX86FA037: Beech 35, N50CN, Avenal, CA, November 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1985, 17:20 local (Nov 11, 1985, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Avenal, CA
- Coordinates: 35.890113, -120.070632 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8901&lon=-120.0706&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): 24880
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24880/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA037

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight briefing service - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING (TWICE) AND WAS ADVISED EACH TIME THAT VFR FLT ALONG HIS ROUTE WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING AT A LOW ALT BELOW A CLOUD LAYER, WHEN IT MADE AN ABRUPT LEFT DESCENDING TURN AND CRASHED IN A FIELD. ANOTHER WITNESS WAS DRIVING ON I-5 AND OBSERVED THE ACFT PASS OVERHEAD AT 300 TO 400 FT AGL BELOW THE CLOUDS, AND A SHORT TIME LATER SAW A BALL OF FLAMES NEXT TO THE HWY.L OF FLAMES NEXT TO THE HIGHWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50CN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50CN-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N D-243, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Registry model: [Beech 35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35) (registry code 1151502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D243
- Airframe hours: 5679
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-8 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Melvin M. Banton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1985, 32 hours before
- Departed: MAI, MADERA, CA
- Destination: GUP, GALLUP, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,400 total, 4,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NLC, 17 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 19851110076069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851110076069A), Nov 10, 1985: Beech 35BEECH, Avenal, CA, Destroyed. At low altitude in IFR conditions aircraft made an abrupt turn descended into a field and burned. Turbulence SIGMET.

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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