# NTSB LAX88DXQ02: Baron Minicoupe, N8534A, Truckee, CA, June 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1988, 18:10 local (Jun 29, 1988, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Location: 39.3280° N, 120.1833° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Truckee, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3280&lon=-120.1833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25778
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DXQ02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25778/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DXQ02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO BUZZ FRIENDS OF THE PILOT WHO WERE WINDSURFING ON SAILBOARDS. THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN MANEUVERING ERRATICALLY AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE OVER THE BOCA RESERVOIR. WITNESSES SAID THE AIRPLANE DID SEVERAL STEEP TURNS AND APPEARED TO STALL. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A NOSE LOW, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE. WITNESSES INDICATED THE WINDS WERE GUSTING TO 30 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. TOX TESTS REVEALED 110-124 NG/ML MARIJUANA METABOLITES IN THE URINE OF THE PILOT. TOX TESTING OF BLOOD WAS NEGATIVE FOR MARIJUANA METABOLITES. THE AIRPLANE WAS CERTIFIED IN THE EXPERIMENTAL CATEGORY. ACROBATICS/ABRUPT MANEUVERS WERE PROHIBITED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8534A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8534A-1991-08-16), registration cancelled 1991-08-16, S/N HB1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BARON MINICOUPE
- Registry model: [Baron Helmut AMATUER BUILT](https://openairdocs.org/model/baron-helmut-amatuer-built) (registry code 0565225) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: HB1
- Airframe hours: 200
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN RVMSTR-2100-S 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thys, Edward B.
- Registered owner: Hall, Lawrence D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 1983
- Departed: TRK, TRUCKEE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,542 total, 31 in this make and model, 2,392 as pilot in command, 281 in the last 90 days, 106 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRK, 5 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 19880628023879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880628023879A), Jun 28, 1988: Amtrct MINICOUPE, Truckee, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Acrobatics and buzzing area ended in an accelerated stall out of a steep climbing turn. Marijuana test positive.

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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