# NTSB LAX87LA191: Beech 95-55, N9711R, Monterey, CA, April 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1987, 01:15 local (08:15 UTC)
- Place: Monterey, CA
- Coordinates: 36.60025, -121.879722 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6003&lon=-121.8797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25578
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25578/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA191

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, climb - to cruise
  - door,passenger - open (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - total, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - dispatched, fbo personnel

## Analysis

JUST AFTER TAKE-OFF, THE CABIN DOOR OPENED IN FLIGHT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RELAND BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE PLT WAS VECTORED TO ANOTHER ARPT, HOWEVER, THE PLT NEVER CLIMBED TO THE ASSIGNED ALT AND WAS NEVER IN RADAR CONTACT. THE PLT THINKING HE WAS ON THE FRONT COURSE TO THE RUNWAY, WAS IN FACT ON THE BACKCOURSE. THE PLT DID NOT HAVE IN HIS POSSESSION AN APPROACH PLATE TO THAT ARPT. THE PLT DESCENDED INTO A MOUNTAIN AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9711R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9711R-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N TC-12, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95-55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-55) (registry code 1152702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-12
- Airframe hours: 2578
- Engines: CONTINENTAL I0-470 AL 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Sweets Flying Service
- Registered owner: Fanopoulos, Dimitrious G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 1986, 17 hours before
- Departed: SNS, SALINAS, CA
- Destination: V15, VISALIA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: MRY, Monterey, runway 10, 6,597 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 456 total, 10 in this make and model, 345 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNS, 17 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 19870427011679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870427011679A), Apr 27, 1987: Beech 9555, Monterey, CA, Substantial damage. The door came open on takeoff. While attempting to land, aircraft hit terrain. Pilot failed to properly latch door.

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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