# NTSB LAX87FA239: Rockwell 690, N662DM, Bridgeport, CA, June 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1987, 01:33 local (08:33 UTC)
- Place: Bridgeport, CA
- Coordinates: 38.27005, -119.329551 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2700&lon=-119.3296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25408
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA239
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25408/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA239

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue(circadian rhythm), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fatigue(flight and ground schedule), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - insuff standards/requirements,operation/operator, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLT CONDITIONS FOR THE AIR AMBULANCE TRIP CONSISTED OF A CLEAR, MOONLESS, DARK NIGHT AND THE DEST ARPT WAS IN A MTN VALLEY WITH THE ONLY GROUND REFERENCE LIGHTS THE TOWN ADJACENT TO THE ARPT. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT OVERFLY THE TOWN AND ARPT AT PATTERN ALT THEN HEAD OUT OVER THE LAKE NORTH OF THE ARPT. ABOUT 1 MILE FROM THE RWY, THE ACFT WAS SEEN TO SUDDENLY PITCH UP, ROLL INVERTED AND DIVE STRAIGHT DOWN INTO THE LAKE. THE ACFT WAS HEADING AWAY FROM THE ONLY GND REF LIGHTS AND WAS OVER A REFLECTIVE BODY OF WATER NEAR THE BASE TURN POINT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WITNESSES HEARD INCREASED ENG/PROP NOISE BEFORE IMPACT. WRECKAGE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF PWR AT IMPACT. THE SHIFTS FOR THE PLTS IN THE OPERATION CONSISTED OF 4 DAYS ON, 2 DAYS OFF, WITH ALTERNATING DAY AND NIGHT SHIFTS. THE PLT WAS ON THE 4TH NIGHT OF THE CURRENT SHIFT CYCLE AND WAS ALSO GIVING FLT INSTRUCTION DURING THE DAYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N662DM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N662DM-1994-07-19), registration cancelled 1994-07-19, S/N 11015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL 690
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 690](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-690) (registry code 0141720) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11015
- Airframe hours: 5234
- Engines: GARRETT TPE331-5-251K 717 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Ipm Technology
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 2, 1987, 37 hours before
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV
- Destination: 057
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: 057, Bryant Field, runway 16, 4,400 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,521 total, 34 in this make and model, 8,924 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19870621021159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870621021159A), Jun 21, 1987: Gulstm 690, Bridgeport, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Appears pilot lost visual outside reference during night turn around over a lake. Lost control. Crashed into lake.

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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