# NTSB LAX89FA006: Beech A24R, N8065R, Mt. Baldy, CA, October 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1988, 17:15 local (Oct 3, 1988, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Baldy, CA
- Coordinates: 34.19905, -117.700721 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1990&lon=-117.7007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26179
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26179/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA006

## Probable cause

PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISION AND ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD PREVIOUSLY FLOWN IN THE AREA OF HILLS & VALLEYS WHICH RANGED IN ALTITUDE FROM 2200 TO OVER 8000 FEET MSL. SOME OF THE VALLEY FLOORS ROSE RAPIDLY, WERE SURROUNDED BY INCREASINGLY TALLER MOUNTIANS AND WERE SHAPED LIKE A BOX CANYON. DURING THE PLEASURE FLIGHT IN VFR CONDITIONS THE PLT & HIS PAX ENTERED A BOX-LIKE CANYON. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH 43 DEGREE UPSLOPING TERRAIN OF THE 4,000-FT MSL CANYON WALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8065R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8065R-1989-04-04), registration cancelled 1989-04-04, S/N MC56 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A24R
- Registry model: [Beech A24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a24r) (registry code 1151252) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MC-56
- Airframe hours: 1410
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Theodore & Catherine Cummings
- Registered owner: Preston,Cummings & C. Cummings
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1988, 55 hours before
- Departed: CCB, UPLAND, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 343 total, 85 in this make and model, 259 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 9 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 19881002043549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881002043549A), Oct 2, 1988: Beech A24R, Mt Baldy, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Indicates pilot was flying up canyon at low altitude and struck rising terrain turning.

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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