# NTSB LAX86LA011: Beech B19, N1983W, Ruth, CA, October 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1985, 19:00 local (Oct 12, 1985, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Ruth, CA
- Coordinates: 40.460227, -123.669334 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4602&lon=-123.6693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24996
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24996/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA011

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - displaced threshold (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - communications/information/atc - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE 117 HR PVT PLT COMPLETED A 50 MIN FLT AT DUSK & PREPARED FOR LDG ON RWY 31. THE PLT HAD NEVER LANDED ON THAT RWY BEFORE & STATED THAT HE WAS UNAWARE OF THE REMARKS CONTAINED IN THE ARPT/FACILITY DIRECTORY INDICATING THAT THE THRESHOLD FOR RWY 31 HAD BEEN DISPLACED 70' BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE OF A BERM. THE ACFT WAS LOW ON SHORT FINAL APCH & COLLIDED WITH THE BERM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1983W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B19
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MB-665
- Airframe hours: 5007
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Altar Aviation Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 1, 1985, 93 hours before
- Departed: FOT, FORTUNA, CA
- Destination: Q95, RUTH, CA
- Airport: Q95, Ruth, runway 31, 3,170 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 118 total, 20 in this make and model, 97 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °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 19851011051259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851011051259A), Oct 11, 1985: Beech B19, Ruth, CA, Substantial damage. Struck a berm on final approach. Nose gear sheared off. Threshold displacement listed in airport directory.

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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