# NTSB LAX89FA057: Beech N35, N9469Y, Hanford, CA, November 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1988, 19:04 local (Nov 28, 1988, 03:04 UTC)
- Place: Hanford, CA
- Coordinates: 36.26992, -119.629089 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2699&lon=-119.6291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26193
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26193/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA057

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AND DESCENDED BELOW THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE WHILE EXECUTING THE MISSED APPROACH. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S WISH TO RETURN THE AIRPLANE TO ITS HOME BASE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, missed approach (ifr)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT DECLARED A MISSED APCH DURING A VOR CIRCLING APCH TO THE PLT'S HOME ARPT. THE ACFT DESCENDED BELOW MIMIMUM DESCENT ALT, COLLIDED WITH A TELEPHONE CABLE AND CAME TO REST IN A COTTON FIELD APRX 1 MILE NORTHEAST OF THE ARPT. THE ACFT WAS IN THE LANDING CONFIGURATION AT IMPACT. THE WX WAS BELOW APCH MINIMUMS, 1/4 MILE VISIBILITY WITH FOG AND A 400 FOOT OBSCURED CEILING. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9469Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9469Y-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N D-6647, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH N35
- Registry model: [Beech N35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-n35) (registry code 1151528) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D6647
- Airframe hours: 3451
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-N 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mid Cal Farms
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1988, 151 hours before
- Departed: OXR, OXNARD, CA
- Destination: 018, HANFORD, CA
- Airport: 018, Hanford

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,908 total, 1,080 in this make and model, 121 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft

## 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 19881127052259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881127052259A), Nov 27, 1988: Beech N35, Hanford, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Came too low on missed approach. Struck telephone cable crashed and burned. Advised below minimuims but tried anyway

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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