# NTSB LAX89LA176: Beech 35, N3169V, Sierraville, CA, April 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1989, 16:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Sierraville, CA
- Coordinates: 39.569305, -120.340423 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5693&lon=-120.3404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26395
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26395/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA176

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO LAND DOWNWIND ON THE RUNWAY AND THE INABILITY TO ATTAIN A CLIMB AFTER ABORTING THE LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND UNCONTROLLED DESCENT INTO THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE WINDS WERE OUT OF 210 DEGREES AT 12 KTS. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHING RUNWAY 03 LOW AND FAST. SHE STATED THAT THE MAIN GEAR HAD JUST TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY WHEN A GUST OF WIND FROM THE RIGHT LIFTED THE RIGHT WING. THE PILOT PULLED THE NOSE UP IN WHAT APPEARED TO BE A GO AROUND, HOWEVER, THE WING STALLED AND CONTACTED THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED ENCOUNTERING A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, ADDING FULL POWER AND ENCOUNTERING ANOTHER DOWNDRAFT BEFORE COLLIDING WITH THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3169V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3169V-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N D-602, 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: D-602
- Airframe hours: 3920
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-8 206 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert J. Reffitt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 005, DAVIS, CA
- Airport: O79, Sierraville, runway 3, 3,260 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 187 total, 13 in this make and model, 121 as pilot in command, 88 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890430010359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890430010359A), Apr 30, 1989: Beech 35BEECH, Sierraville, CA, Destroyed. A gust of wind lifted a wing on touchdown. Began go around in nose high altitude stalled and impacted the runway.

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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