# NTSB LAX89FA050: Beech 95, N663Q, Milpitis, CA, November 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1988, 18:15 local (Nov 18, 1988, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Milpitis, CA
- Coordinates: 37.440891, -121.869827 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4409&lon=-121.8698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26192
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26192/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA050

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE WHILE PERFORMING A MANEUVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - bright night
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT VFR FLIGHT THE ATP, WHO WORKED AS A CFI, DESCENDED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED & COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AT ABOUT A 60 DEGREE NOSE DOWN & WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE COLLISION OCCURRED 6 MI FROM THE PLT'S DESTINATION ARPT. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND OF ANY AIRFRAME OR ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N663Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N663Q-1989-04-06), registration cancelled 1989-04-06, S/N TD228 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95
- Registry model: [Beech 95](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95) (registry code 1153402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TD-228
- Airframe hours: 2626
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: California In Nice, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 1988
- Departed: LVK, LIVERMORE, CA
- Destination: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,169 total, 107 in this make and model, 2,979 as pilot in command, 162 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RHV, 6 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 19881117051339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881117051339A), Nov 17, 1988: Beech 95, Milpitas, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed into a hill during a steep dive while returning from a crosscountry flight.

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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