# NTSB LAX89LA282: Beech B35, N8868A, San Diego, CA, August 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1989, 11:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.800357, -117.129371 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8004&lon=-117.1294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26481
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA282
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26481/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA282

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS THAT RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: UNAVALIABLE ALTITUDE, REMEDIAL ACTION NOT POSSIBLE, UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, HIGH VEGETATION, AND THE TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - powerplant - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
  - altitude - unavailable, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

A BEECH B35 COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING A FORCED LANDING, AFTER THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. THE PILOT STATED HE LOST POWER AT ABOUT 100 TO 150 FEET AGL. HE MANEUVERED THE AIRPLANE TOWARDS AN OPEN AREA. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE VEERED SIDEWAYS, LANDED HARD AND SLID TO A STOP. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SERVICED WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUEL UNDER AN APPROVED SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE. A POST ACCIDENT ENGINE EXAM REVEALED NO DAMAGE TO THE POWER PLANT. THE ENGINE WAS TESTED USING FUEL FROM ITS WING TANKS, THE ENGINE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE PILOT STATED HE FELT HE COULD HAVE STARTED THE ENGINE IF HE HAD MORE ALTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8868A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8868A-2003-03-24), registration cancelled 2003-03-24, S/N D-2523, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B35
- Registry model: [Beech B35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b35) (registry code 1151506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-2523
- Airframe hours: 4561
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hopper, Phillip L.
- Registered owner: Hopper, Phillip L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 1988, 167 hours before
- Departed: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Destination: GEU, GLENDALE, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MYF, Montgomery, runway 28L, 3,399 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,581 total, 388 in this make and model, 1,424 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYF, 1 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 19890820030569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890820030569A), Aug 20, 1989: Beech B35, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Crash landed off airport. Engine ran normal post accident run.

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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