# NTSB LAX87FA116: Beech 35, Monrovia, CA, January 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1987, 15:12 local (23:12 UTC)
- Place: Monrovia, CA
- Coordinates: 34.149394, -117.989997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1494&lon=-117.9900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25379
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25379/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA116

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER RECEIVING HIS PREFLIGHT WX BRIEFING AT 0715 HRS, THE PLT TOOKOFF AT 1436 HRS ON A X-COUNTRY FLIGHT. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE PILOT REQUESTED OR RECEIVED A CURRENT WX BRIEFING PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. AFTER THE ACFT WAS PROVIDED FLIGHT FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS THROUGH AN ARSA THE CONTROLLER INSTRUCTED THE PLT TO RESUME HIS OWN NAVIGATION AND APPROVED HIS CLIMB TO 4,500 FT MSL. THE CONTROLLER OBSERVED THE ACFT'S TARGET ENTER INTO AN AREA OF MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND ASKED THE PLT IF HE SAW THE HILLS. THE PLT REPLIED THAT HE SAW SOME OF THEM. RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WAS THEN LOST. THE ACFT'S WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ON FEB 14, 1987. WX IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE OCCURRENCE WAS REPORTED AS: SKY PARTIALLY OBSCURED, ESTIMATED CEILING BROKEN AT 2,200 FEET MSL, OVERCAST SKY AT 5,000 FEET MSL, VISIBILITY 6 MILE, TEMPERATURE 67 DEGREES, DEW POINT 57 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, WIND FROM 220 DEGREES AT 5 KNOTS, ALTIMETER 30.10 'HG. THE PLTS FLT LOG WAS NEVER LOCATED. HIS INSTRUMENT CERT EXPIRED IN 1982.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CFHRR (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D3830
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-D 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert W. Hutchinsion
- Registered owner: Hutchinson, Robert W
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA
- Destination: OXR, OXNARD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EMT, 8 nm away

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.