# NTSB LAX88FA331: Beech B-35, N8875A, Ocotillo, CA, May 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1988, 00:00 local (07:00 UTC)
- Place: Ocotillo, CA
- Coordinates: 32.720733, -115.880477 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7207&lon=-115.8805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25868
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA331
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25868/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA331

## Probable cause

INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED ON MAY 11, 1988, WHILE ON A PRESUMED LOCAL PERSONAL FLIGHT. FOUR INDIVIDUALS WERE SEEN TO BOARD THE AIRCRAFT, INCLUDING THE OWNER. ONLY TWO PERSONS COULD BE IDENTIFIED ON THE BASIS OF FRAGMENTARY REMAINS AT THE SITE, NEITHER OF WHICH WAS THE AIRCRAFT OWNER. THE PARTIALLY BURIED AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND IN A DESERT DRY WASH ON OCT 16, 1988, NO GROUND SCARS WERE FOUND IN THE WASH WHERE HEAVY WATER ACTIVITY WAS PRESENT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ALMOST TOTALLY CONSUMED BY FIRE. NO PREIMACT MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WERE IDENTIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8875A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8875A-2013-11-08), registration cancelled 2013-11-08, S/N D-2530, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B-35
- Registry model: [Beech B35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b35) (registry code 1151506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-2530
- Airframe hours: 3837
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-11 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peters, Terry R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1987, 70 hours before
- Departed: L54, AGUA CALIENTE, CA
- Destination: L54

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 102 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NXP, 17 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 19880511046449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880511046449A), May 11, 1988: Beech 35B33, Ocotillo, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Aircraft became missing. Found months later in sandy wash. Destroyed by impact and fire. All 4 onboard were pilots.

## Other investigations on N8875A (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 UNK64X1062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1062), Mar 27, 1964: Beechcraft B35 (N8875A), Napa, 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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