# NTSB LAX86FA247: Beech M35, N398Z, Swall Meadows, CA, June 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1986, 12:04 local (19:04 UTC)
- Place: Swall Meadows, CA
- Coordinates: 37.500457, -118.309219 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5005&lon=-118.3092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24919
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA247
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24919/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA247

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - remedial action - not performed, check pilot (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, check pilot
  - supervision - inadequate, check pilot (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CIVIL AIR PATROL (CAP) ORGANIZED & PROVIDED INSTRUCTORS TO TEACH CAP MISSION PLTS TECHNIQUES OF 'HIGH ALTITUDE' SEARCH FLYING DURING A 2-DAY COURSE. THE CURRICULUM INCLUDED MAKING A LANDING APPROACH TO A 6080 FT ELEVATION AIRSTRIP. THE APPROACH WAS TO BE TERMINATED WITH A GO-AROUND FOR WHICH SUCCESSFUL EXECUTION REQUIRED PROMPTLY TURNING THE ACFT AWAY FROM THE RISING TERRAIN LOCATED BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE TRAINEE-PILOT FLEW THE APPROACH BUT ALLOWED THE AIRSPEED TO SLOW BELOW THE BEST ANGLE OF CLIMB. WHILE THE GEAR & FLAPS WERE BEING RAISED THE PLT ALSO FAILED TO PROMPTLY TURN THE ACFT AWAY FROM THE RISING TERRAIN. BECAUSE OF THE 8500 FT DENSITY ALTITUDE, THE ACFT'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE WAS DEGRADED, & THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE RISING TERRAIN. THE CFI FAILED TO ADEQUATELY MONITOR HIS STUDENT'S PERFORMANCE, & HE FAILED TO FOLLOW ESTABLISHED CAP PROCEDURES WHICH REQUIRED HIM TO ISSUE MISSION ABORT INSTRUCTIONS IN A TIMELY MANNER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N398Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N398Z-1989-01-27), registration cancelled 1989-01-27, S/N D6560 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH M35
- Registry model: [Beech M35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-m35) (registry code 1151526) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D6560
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-C(1) 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: R.& S.Richmong & B.Guberman
- Registered owner: R & S Richmond
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1986
- Departed: BIH, BISHOP, CA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: 3Q8, Swall Meadows, runway 32, 2,000 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,136 total, 980 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19860607087159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860607087159A), Jun 7, 1986: Beech M35, Swall Meadows, CA, Destroyed. The aircraft mushed into rising terrain during go around. High density altitude with rising terrain.

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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