# NTSB LAX87LA351: Beech 95-B55, N20904, Truckee, CA, August 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1987, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Location: 39.3201° N, 120.1396° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TRUCKEE-TAHOE (TRK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3201&lon=-120.1396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25701
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA351
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25701/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA351

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - touchdown - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW, THE PILOT STATED THAT HE 'LANDED HARD' ON RUNWAY 19. WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE FROM 270 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS REPORTED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT THE ACCIDENT WITHIN TEN DAYS OF THE OCCURRENCE. HE STATED THAT HE DID NOT KNOW THAT THE DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT MET THE NTSB CRITERIA FOR SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N20904 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95-B55
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-2101
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul P. Ortner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: WLW, WILLOWS, CA
- Destination: TRK, TRUCKEE, CA
- Airport: TRK, Truckee, runway 19, 4,650 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,424 total, 23 in this make and model, 1,132 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19870814065909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870814065909A), Aug 14, 1987: Beech 95B55, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. Made an improper level off on approach. Collided with the terrain when he made a hard landing.

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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