# NTSB LAX88FA114: Beech A23, N1461L, Big Bear City, CA, February 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1988, 15:14 local (23:14 UTC)
- Place: Big Bear City, CA
- Coordinates: 34.259052, -116.839111 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2591&lon=-116.8391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25811
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25811/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA114

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PASSENGER TOLD FRIENDS THAT THE PILOT WAS GOING TO PERFORM SOME AEROBATIC MANEUVERS NEAR THE LODGE WHERE THEY WERE STAYING. THE OTHER RESIDENTS IN THE LODGE REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE FLEW VERY LOW OVER THE HOUSE AND PROCEEDED TOWARDS THE EAST. AFTER REACHING THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE VALLEY, THE PILOT EXECUTED A 180 DEG RIGHT TURN TOWARDS THE LODGE. WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 1000 YARDS EAST OF THE LODGE, THE PILOT PULLED THE AIRPLANE INTO A NEAR VERTICAL CLIMBING ATTITUDE AND ENTERED INTO WHAT WAS DESCRIBED BY THE WITNESSES AS A HAMMERHEAD STALL TYPE MANEUVER. THE AIRPLANE THEN PITCHED DNWARD. BEFORE REACHING TREES, IT APPEARED THE NOSE WAS COMING UP BUT THE AIRPLANE DISAPPEARED BEHIND THE TREELINE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE WITNESSES HEARD A MUFFLED IMPACT SOUND AND THEN SAW A FIREBALL EMANATING FROM BEHIND THE TREELINE. THE INVESTIGATION DSCLD NO EVIDENCE OF ANY AIRPLANE PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1461L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1461L-1994-07-23), registration cancelled 1994-07-23, S/N M856 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23
- Registry model: [Beech A23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23) (registry code 1151204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M856
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-346A 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sanford, Dale R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: L35, BIG BEAR CITY, CA
- Destination: L35
- Airport: L35

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,002 total, 945 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19880220004369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880220004369A), Feb 20, 1988: Beech A23, Big Bear City, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Buzzed a lodge. On second pass, pulled up into stall spin and recovered too late. Collided with ground and burned.

## Other investigations on N1461L (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA69F0041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69F0041), Jun 29, 1968: Beech A23 (N1461L), Knoxville, TN, substantial damage

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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