# NTSB LAX86FA057: Beech F33A, N6541A, Sacramento, CA, December 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 4, 1985, 22:30 local (Dec 5, 1985, 06:30 UTC)
- Place: Sacramento, CA
- Coordinates: 38.689819, -121.599525 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6898&lon=-121.5995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24885
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24885/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA057

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, missed approach (ifr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON DECEMBER 4, 1985 AT 2230 PST, A BEECH F33A, OPERATED BY THE OWNER, COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING A MISSED APPROACH AT SACRAMENTO METROPOLITAN AIRPORT, SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, WHILE ON A BUSINESS FLIGHT. INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME; AN INSTRUMENT CLEARANCE HAD BEEN ISSED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE OWNER/ PILOT, THE ONLY OCCUPANT, RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA; THE TIME IS UNKNOWN. ACCORDING TO SACRAMENTO METROPOLITAN TOWER PERSONNEL, THE INSTRUMENT-RATED PRIVATE PILOT REQUESTED AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH AND HAD RECEIVED CLEARANCE TO LAND WHEN HE DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR CONTACT, APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE NORTH OF RUNWAY 16 AT AN ALTITUDE OF 100 FEET AGL. THE WRECKAGE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 MILES WEST OF THE AIRPORT, WHERE IT HAD CRASHED AND BURNED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6541A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6541A-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N CE-1011, built 1982 (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: CE1011
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 SER 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward F. Dibble
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1985
- Departed: RAL, RIVERSIDE, CA
- Destination: SMF
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SMF, Sacramento Metro, runway 16, 8,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 70° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMF, 1 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 19851204059539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851204059539A), Dec 4, 1985: Beech F33A, Sacramento, CA, Destroyed. Impacted trees during a missed approach with patchy ground fog. Aircraft following saw runway from the outer marker.

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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