# NTSB LAX87FA069: Beech E-55, N111FC, East Palo Alto, CA, December 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 1986, 06:32 local (14:32 UTC)
- Place: East Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.449058, -122.10041 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4491&lon=-122.1004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 28, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25365
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25365/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA069

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND 5 PASSENGERS DEPARTED FOR A PLANNED VACATION IN MEXICO IN DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVEDTO DEPART FROM RUNWAY 30, TURN FROM THE CROSSWIND TO THE DOWNWIND LEG AND THE AIRCRAFT 'LOST ALTITUDE RAPIDLY' AND IMPACTED IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY. A PILOT WHO IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PALO ALTO AIRPORT STATED THAT WHEN MAKING A RIGHT CROSSWIND FROM RUNWAY 30 'THE BAY WATERS AND THE HORIZON CAN BLEND AS ONE.' THE PILOT MUST 'REFERENCE FLIGHT INSTRUMENTSFOR A SHORT PERIOD. IT CAN CATCH A PILOT BY SURPRISE.' THE PILOT RECEIVED HIS INSTRUMENT RATING IN 1975. NO RECORD OF INSTRUMENT CURRENCY COULD BE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N111FC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E-55
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE-783
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steven M. Jacobs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PAO
- Destination: TIJ, TIJUANA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,870 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAO, 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 19861227072269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861227072269A), Dec 27, 1986: Beech E55, Palo Alto, CA, Destroyed, 5 fatal. After takeoff,lost altitude on a sharp turn. Crashed in bay .possible problem with visual reference. No ground lights

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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