# NTSB LAX88FA192: Beech 35, N3322V, Santa Paula, CA, May 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1988, 12:14 local (19:14 UTC)
- Place: Santa Paula, CA
- Coordinates: 34.399314, -119.070495 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3993&lon=-119.0705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25834
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25834/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA192

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED AT WHICH THE AIRCRAFT IS CONTROLLABLE AND ABOVE THE STALL SPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER TOOK OFF ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WITHOUT OBTAINING A WEATHER BRIEFING OR FILING A FLIGHT PLAN. THE CLOUD LEVELS AT THE AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE WERE REPORTED AS SCATTERED CLOUDS AT 2,500 FEET AND BROKEN CLOUDS AT 10,000 FEET. A RADAR PLOT OF THE AIRCRAFT'S TRACK AFTER TAKEOFF SHOWS THAT IT TURNED ONTO COURSE WHILE CLIMBING. IT MADE A 360 DEGREE CLIMBING TURN THROUGH 4,500-5,000 FEET AND CONTINUED CLIMBING TOWARDS ITS DESTINATION. AS THE AIRCRAFT REACHED 9,500 FEET IT ENTERED A SPIRALING DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT'S WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ON A MOUNTAIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3322V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3322V-2012-10-03), registration cancelled 2012-10-03, S/N D-783, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Registry model: [Beech 35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35) (registry code 1151502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D783
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-1 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Morton, Francis W.
- Registered owner: Morton, Francis & Ruth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1988
- Departed: OXR, OXNARD, CA
- Destination: PVT, PORTERVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,647 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OXR, 26 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 19880507016729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880507016729A), May 7, 1988: Beech 35BEECH, Santa Paula, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Radar shows aircraft entered a spiral dive in area of crash. Evidence indicates VFR pilot lost control in IMC.

## Other investigations on N3322V (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 LAX78FUD04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FUD04), Apr 16, 1978: Beech 35 (N3322V), Santa Monica, CA, 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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