# NTSB LAX87LA033: Beech K35, N399WM, San Diego, CA, November 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 5, 1986, 20:30 local (Nov 6, 1986, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.799041, -117.130981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7990&lon=-117.1310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25466
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25466/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA033

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, missed approach (ifr)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH TO THE MONTGOMERY AIRPORT AFTER BEING ADVISED THE WEATHER WAS BELOW BASIC VFR MINIMUMS. HE WAS CLEARED FOR AN ILS APPROACH AND REPORTED THAT HE HAD THE RUNWAY IN SIGHT AT ABOUT 400 FT; HOWEVER, HE LOST SIGHT OF THE RUNWAY DUE TO FOG AS HE CONTINUED. JUST BEFORE THE PILOT INITIATED A MISSED APPROACH, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE VISIBILITY HAD DROPPED TO 1/16 MILE. DURING THE MISSED APPROACH, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE RUNWAY WHILE IT WAS STILL DESCENDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N399WM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH K35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D5939
- Airframe hours: 2056
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dean Holt
- Registered owner: Denice Holt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1986, 43 hours before
- Departed: IGM, KINGMAN, AZ
- Destination: MYF
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: MYF, Montgomery, runway 28R, 3,400 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,000 total, 5,500 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYF

## 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 19861105058949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861105058949A), Nov 5, 1986: Beech K35, San Diego, CA, Destroyed. The aircraft hit the runway during missed approach. The pilot failed to heed several warnings about the weather.

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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