# NTSB LAX90FA017: Beech F35, N5034B, Lake Berryessa, CA, October 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1989, 15:23 local (22:23 UTC)
- Place: Lake Berryessa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.550437, -122.15023 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5504&lon=-122.1502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26598/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA017

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.  THE POWER LINES WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER PLANNED A 40 NM PLEASURE FLIGHT TO A NEIGHBORING AIRPORT FOR LUNCH.  ON THE RETURN FLIGHT, THE PILOT FLEW LOW OVER LAKE BERRYESSA.  WHILE CROSSING THE LAKE, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TWO TRANSMISSION WIRES THAT SPANNED THE LAKE, THEN CRASHED.  THE LINES WERE ABOUT 125 AND 135 FT AGL AND WERE DEPICTED ON THE SECTIONAL AERONAUTICAL CHART.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5034B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5034B-1990-08-22), registration cancelled 1990-08-22, S/N D4301 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH F35
- Registry model: [Beech F35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f35) (registry code 1151514) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-4301
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roy Niewald
- Registered owner: Amarillo Blanco Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1989, 142 hours before
- Departed: 045, VACAVILLE, CA
- Destination: STS, SONAMA COUNTY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,400 total, 400 in this make and model, 2,340 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUU, 19 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 19891026043739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891026043739A), Oct 26, 1989: Beech F35, Lake Berryessa, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck powerlines 125 feet over Lake Berryessa. Wreckage fell into land and sank.

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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