# NTSB LAX89LA249: Beech C24R, N18789, Lower Lake, CA, July 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1989, 18:00 local (Jul 28, 1989, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Lower Lake, CA
- Coordinates: 38.87976, -122.550094 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8798&lon=-122.5501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26454
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26454/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA249

## Probable cause

PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO IDENTIFY THE SINK RATE SOON ENOUGH TO TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - windshear (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND AND THE SAFETY PILOT BOTH STATED THEY WERE MAKING AN APPROACH TO RUNWAY 30 WHEN THE SINK RATE OF THE AIRPLANE INCREASED. THEY APPLIED POWER BUT THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. BOTH PILOTS STATED IT WAS A DOWNDRAFT/WINDSHEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18789](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18789-1990-07-19), registration cancelled 1990-07-19, S/N MC501 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech C24R
- Registry model: [Beech C24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c24r) (registry code 1151254) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MC-501
- Airframe hours: 1200
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Holar, Lief
- Registered owner: Leif & Leona Holan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 1989, 1 hours before
- Airport: 209, Pearce Field, runway 30, 2,485 × 50 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 711 total, 15 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °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 19890727025659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890727025659A), Jul 27, 1989: Beech C24R, Lower Lake, CA, Substantial damage. Developed high sink rate on approach to runway. Safety pilot called for power too late. Hit highway short of 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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