# NTSB LAX87LA203: Beech A65, N7872R, Coalinca, CA, May 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1987, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Coalinca, CA
- Coordinates: 36.189575, -120.390754 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1896&lon=-120.3908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25586
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25586/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA203

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - locked (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight control,gust lock - not removed (cause)
  - lift-off - not possible (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM THE 2,820 FOOT RUNWAY WITH A MAKESHIFT FLIGHT CONTROL GUST LOCK IN PLACE. HE WAS UNABLE TO LIFTOFF WITH THE CONTROLS LOCKED AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED WHEN THE AIRCRAFT OVERRAN THE RUNWAY ONTO THE ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7872R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A65
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: LC327
- Airframe hours: 2033
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Howe, Edwin H.
- Registered owner: Westlake Farms, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 4, 1987, 19 hours before
- Destination: 1Q3, STRATFORD, CA
- Airport: 308, Harris Ranch, runway 32, 2,820 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,510 total, 1,420 in this make and model, 7,510 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NLC, 15 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 19870508079639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870508079639A), May 8, 1987: Beech 65, Coalinga, CA, Substantial damage. Unable to rotate on takeoff and overran the departure end of the runway. Incorrect control lock in yoke.

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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