# NTSB LAX88FA065: Britten-Norman BN2A-26, N25MR, Desert Center, CA, October 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1987, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Desert Center, CA
- Coordinates: 33.759021, -115.470649 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7590&lon=-115.4706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25797
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25797/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA065

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - separation
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS HIRED TO FERRY AN ISLANDER FROM EL PASO, TX TO SANTA PAULA, CA. HE REPRESENTED HIMSELF TO THE FERRY COMPANY AS BEING AN EXPERIENCED ISLANDER PLT. NO PREVIOUS ISLANDER FLT TIME WAS FOUND IN THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK. IT WAS THE PLT'S 40TH BIRTHDAY & HE WAS ANXIOUS TO COMPLETE THE FLT. HE NEITHER FILED FLT PLANS NOR HAD CURRENT CHARTS. APPROACHING THE CHIRIACO SUMMIT AREA ALONG I-10 THE TERRAIN ROSE AND A GROUND-BASED WITNESS REPORTED CLDS WERE LOW. THE PLT CONTINUED THE WESTBND FLT. EVIDENCE INDICATED AN OVERSTRESSED ACFT AND AN IN-FLT BREAKUP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25MR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25MR-1991-03-25), registration cancelled 1991-03-25, S/N 881 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BRITTEN-NORMAN BN2A-26
- Registry model: [Britten-Norman BN2A-26 ISLANDER](https://openairdocs.org/model/britten-norman-bn2a-26-islander) (registry code 1520226) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 881
- Airframe hours: 1119
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4C5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Southern Cross Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Onyx Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1987, 7 hours before
- Departed: EL PASO, TX
- Destination: SANTA PAULA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,000 total, 3 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day

## 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 19871031072429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871031072429A), Oct 31, 1987: Bnorm BN2A26, Desert Center, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft broke up in flight in low clouds and fog. Beleive pilot lost control and spiral dived.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.