# NTSB LAX87FA121: Beech F33A, N59AB, Anza, CA, February 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1987, 14:42 local (22:42 UTC)
- Place: Anza, CA
- Location: 33.5616° N, 116.6961° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Anza, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5616&lon=-116.6961&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25382
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25382/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA121

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather forecast - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT & 3 PAX PLANNED A PLEASURE FLT TO MX. THE WEATHER WAS BELOW VFR MINIMUMS HOWEVER THE PLT ELECTED TO ATTEMPT THE FLT. SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER AN AREA WHERE IT WAS SNOWING, THE CLOUD BASE WAS ESTIMATED AT 200 FEET AGL, & THE VISIBILITY VARIED FROM 50 FT TO 1 MILE. A WITNESS OBSERVED AN ACFT FLYING BELOW THE CLOUDS IN A STEEP LEFT BANK. THE ACFT SUDDENLY ROLLED RIGHT, PITCHED UPWARDS (ABT 30 DEGREES) AND FLEW INTO THE CLOUDS. ANOTHER WITNESS, LOCATED IN HIS HOUSE ABT 150 FT SOUTH OF THE ACC SITE, HEARD A SOUND LIKE AN ACFT ENG IN A POWER DIVE. HE THEN HEARD A LOUD DULL THUD AND LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW THE ACFT IN HIS APPLE ORCHARD. EXAM OF THE ACFT & ENG DID NOT REVEAL ANY PREIMPACT FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59AB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59AB-2011-03-07), registration cancelled 2011-03-07, S/N CE-923, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH F33A
- Registry model: [Beech F33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (registry code 1151425) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CE-923
- Airframe hours: 606
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Holmes W. Roberts
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1986, 158 hours before
- Departed: 4LO, AGUANGA, CA
- Destination: MXL, MEXICALI
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,967 total, 60 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIV, 45 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 19870223002979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870223002979A), Feb 23, 1987: Beech F33A, Anza, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. VFR pilot proceeded into area of low ceilings, snowshowers and fog. Lost orientation, spiraled to ground impact.

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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