# NTSB LAX87LA299: Beech C23, N24651, Mammoth Lakes, CA, August 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1987, 14:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Mammoth Lakes, CA
- Coordinates: 37.580146, -118.839614 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5801&lon=-118.8396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25662
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA299
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25662/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA299

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, JUST AFTER TAKE-OFF, THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER WHEN THE PLT POSITIONED THE CARB HEAT CONTROL TO FULL COLD. THE PLT STATED THAT IN ORDER TO OBTAIN FULL POWER, DURING THE RUNUP HE WOULD POSITION THE CARB HEAT TO ONE EIGHTH HOT. INSPECTION AND A FLOW TEST OF THE CARB REVEALED THAT THE CARB WOULD SUSTAIN ENGINE OPERATION. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED. THE TEMPERATURE RECORDED AT MAMMOTH LAKES AIRPORT 13 MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT WAS 82 DEGREES. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 10,300 FEET. THE DEW POINT WAS NOT RECORDED THEREFORE THE PROBABILITY OF CARBURETOR ICING COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24651](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24651-2004-02-11), registration cancelled 2004-02-11, S/N M-1413, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C23
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M1413
- Airframe hours: 1052
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4G 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Perrin F. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 1987, 26 hours before
- Destination: APC, NAPA, CA
- Airport: MMH, Mammoth Lakes, runway 9, 7,000 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 324 total, 60 in this make and model, 277 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MMH, 1 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 19870808043089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870808043089A), Aug 8, 1987: Beech C23, Mammoth Lakes, CA, Substantial damage. Unable to climb after takeoff aborted too late and struck a fence. High density altitude and pilot misjudgement.

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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