# NTSB LAX90FA260: Beech B36TC, N72035, Santee, CA, July 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1990, 05:56 local (12:56 UTC)
- Place: Santee, CA
- Coordinates: 33.750537, -117.850311 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7505&lon=-117.8503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26646
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26646/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA260

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO ATTEMPT VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND HIS LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING, THE EXISTING WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT AS A RESULT OF PRESCIPTION MEDICINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise

## Analysis

THE WX AT DEPARTURE WAS INDEFINITE CEILING 900 OBSCURED, VISIBILITY 2 MI IN FOG. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED TO THE WEST FROM RUNWAY 27. ABOUT 1.5 MILES FROM THE RUNWAY THE WITNESSES HEARD LOUD ENGINE SOUNDS GOING EASTBOUND, THEN THE SOUNDS OF THE CRASH. THE TOWER WAS NOT OPEN AT THE TIME OF DEPARTURE. THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT HAD A SURGICAL PROCEDURE PERFORMED ON HIS FOOT AND HYDROCODONE (VICODIN) WAS PRESCRIBED FOR PAIN. HYDROCODONE WAS DETECTED IN THE TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS AT A LEVEL OF 1.2 MG/KG, SIGNIFICANTLY ABOVE THE THERAPUTIC DOSE LEVELS. HYDROCODONE IS AN OPIATE COMPOUND WHICH CAUSES DROWSINESS, MENTAL CLOUDING AND IMPAIRMENT OF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72035](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72035-1990-09-11), registration cancelled 1990-09-11, S/N EA430 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B36TC
- Registry model: [Beech B36TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b36tc) (registry code 1151609) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: EA-430
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-UB 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Orlyn L. Jones
- Registered owner: Orlyn L. Jones
- Departed: SEE
- Destination: DAG, BARSTOW, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,200 total, 850 in this make and model, 3,100 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: SEE, 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 19900720027569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900720027569A), Jul 20, 1990: Beech B36TC, El Cajon, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Departed into fog and cloud obscured hills crashed in residential area. Hydrocodone and acetaminophen found in liver

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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