# NTSB LAX88FA071: Beech A35, N675B, Chino Hills, CA, December 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 19, 1987, 14:57 local (22:57 UTC)
- Place: Chino Hills, CA
- Coordinates: 33.939136, -117.719032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9391&lon=-117.7190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25798
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25798/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA071

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO SEE AND AVOID EACH OTHER AND THUS AVERT THE COLLISION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, cruise - normal
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - restricted, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - radar assistance to vfr aircraft - not used, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Midair collision, cruise
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - radar assistance to vfr aircraft - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

A BEECH A35 AND A PIPER PA-30 COLLIDED IN FLIGHT WHILE OPERATING UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES. BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE DESTROYED. THE BEECH HAD BEEN INBOUND FOR LANDING TO AN AIRPORT 5 MILES NORTH OF THE AIRPORT THE PIPER HAD JUST DEPARTED. THE WEATHER WAS VMC. THE POSITION OF THE SUN RELATIVE TO THE PIPER PILOT WOULD HAVE RESTRICTED HIS VIEW OF THE BEECH. THE BEECH PILOT WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE ATCT AT HIS DESTINATION. THE PIPER PILOT WAS NOT USING AVAILABLE ATC SERVICES.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N675B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N675B-2014-10-06), registration cancelled 2014-10-06, S/N D-1676, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A35
- Registry model: [Beech A35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a35) (registry code 1151504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D1676
- Airframe hours: 37862
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Herndon, Alfred
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1987, 22 hours before
- Departed: CNO, CHINO, CA
- Airport: FUL, Fullerton Muni, runway 26, 3,856 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N2627Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2627Y-2013-06-06), registration cancelled 2013-06-06, S/N 30-376, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 376
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Obinger, George H.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: L66, CORONA, CA
- Destination: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Airport: FUL, Fullerton Muni, runway 24, 3,100 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N675B; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 2,400 as pilot in command
- Pilot, aircraft N2627Y; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CNO, 6 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19871219070632A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871219070632A), Dec 19, 1987: Beech A35, Chino, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Collided in flight with N2627Y. Both fell to ground. Was in contact with a rsa radar in area. Traffic not reported
- [Accident 19871219070631A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871219070631A), Dec 19, 1987: Piper PA30, Fullerton, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On climb to cruise collided with inbound N675B. Vision restricted by sun. Did not use radar traffic advisories.

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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