# NTSB LAX87LA330: Beech H35, N7962D, Avenal, CA, September 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1987, 17:00 local (Sep 9, 1987, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Avenal, CA
- Coordinates: 35.889526, -120.069557 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8895&lon=-120.0696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25686
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA330
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25686/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA330

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach
  - powerplant - undetermined (cause)
  - fluid,oil - pressure too low
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE WAS READING LOW. THE PILOT DECIDED TO MAKE A 180 DEGREE TURN TO LAND AT A NEARBY AIRPORT. EN ROUTE THE OIL PRESSURE CONTINUED TO DROP. DURING THE FIRST LANDING ATTEMPT THE PILOT STATED THE AIRCRAFT WAS 'TOO HIGH' AND DECIDED TO GO-AROUND. ON THE SECOND APPROACH, THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO OIL LEAKAGE OF SPILLS. THERE WERE NO OTHER MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7962D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7962D-1995-12-15), registration cancelled 1995-12-15, S/N D5221 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H35
- Registry model: [Beech H35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h35) (registry code 1151520) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D5221
- Airframe hours: 4852
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-E 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Strange, Robert D.
- Registered owner: Strange, Robert D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 2, 1987, 87 hours before
- Departed: 102, LAKEPORT, CA
- Destination: SQL, SAN CARLOS, CA
- Airport: Avenal, runway 30, 2,880 × 100 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,705 total, 1,266 in this make and model, 1,596 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRB, 30 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 19870908080089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870908080089A), Sep 8, 1987: Beech H35, Avenal, CA, Substantial damage. Low oil pressure. Engine quit on final second try. Collided with terrain short of runway. Too high first approach.

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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