# NTSB LAX90FA010: Beech V35, N288BH, Goleta, CA, October 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1989, 11:27 local (18:27 UTC)
- Place: Goleta, CA
- Coordinates: 34.500171, -120.119606 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5002&lon=-120.1196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26596
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26596/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA010

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO CONDUCT VISUAL FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AT AN ALTITUDE THAT WOULD NOT PROVIDE TERRAIN CLEARANCE.  THE WEATHER CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DID NOT FILE A FLIGHT PLAN FOR HIS FLIGHT ACROSS MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE CLIMBED UNDER AN OVERCAST SKY TOWARD A MOUNTAIN PASS. THERE WERE NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PILOT AFTER HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT RADAR SERVICE WAS TERMINATED. THE PILOT'S FAMILY REPORTED HIM MISSING LATE IN THE AFTERNOON OF THE DAY OF HIS DEPARTURE. LOW CEILINGS AND VISIBILITIES EXISTED THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND CONTINUED UNITL THE NEXT AFTERNOON. THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ON A MOUNTAIN TOP BY SEARCH PERSONNEL ON THE DAY AFTER THE AIRCRAFT WAS REPORTED MISSING. IMPACT OCCURRED AT 2,200 FEET MSL. THE PILOT OF ANOTHER AIRCRAFT REPORTED THE CEILING IN THE AREA WAS 1,600 FEET WITH THE SKY OBSCURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N288BH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N288BH-1996-01-25), registration cancelled 1996-01-25, S/N D8089 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35
- Registry model: [Beech V35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35) (registry code 1151538) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D8089
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-B/BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hendrick, William G
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA
- Destination: SMX, SANTA MARIA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,650 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: SBA, 15 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 19891022044649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891022044649A), Oct 22, 1989: Beech V35, Goleta, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into side of a cloud-obscured mountain trying to negotiate a pass VFR.

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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