# NTSB LAX87FA153: Beech V35B, N8888M, Camp Pendleton, CA, March 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1987, 19:10 local (Mar 24, 1987, 03:10 UTC)
- Place: Camp Pendleton, CA
- Coordinates: 33.389442, -117.439804 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3894&lon=-117.4398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25393
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25393/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA153

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AS THE ACFT WAS NEARING ITS DESTN AT NGT, THE PLT CONTACTED TRACON & REQD RADAR ADVISORIES & CLNC INTO THE TERMINAL AREA. RADAR CONTACT WAS ESTABLISHED WHEN THE ACFT WAS 6 MI NW OF OCEANSIDE VOR AT 1500' MSL. THIS PLACED THE ACFT IN A RESTRICTED AREA (R-2533). THE CONTROLLER ASKED THE PLT IF HE COULD CLIMB, BUT THERE WAS NO REPLY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. A WITNESS, WHO WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 101, SAW THE LIGHTS OF AN ACFT BEFORE IT DSCNDD INTO THE OCEAN. THE WITNESS RPRTD THERE WAS A 'RAIN SQUALL' IN THE VICINITY & THE VISIBILITY WAS REDUCED. LATER, THE OCCUPANTS & PIECES OF WRECKAGE WERE WASHED ASHORE; HOWEVER, THE MAIN WRECKAGE WAS NOT RECOVERED. THE PLT'S MED CERT WAS NOT VALID FOR NGT FLT OR FOR COLOR SIGNAL CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8888M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-9397
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Folamar, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 22, 1987
- Departed: Q94, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Destination: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,006 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NFG, 5 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 19870323007339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870323007339A), Mar 23, 1987: Beech V35B, Camp Pendleton, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into area of heavy rain at night, offshore, lost control and crashed in ocean.

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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