# NTSB LAX90LA037: Beech A23, N3551R, Reedley, CA, November 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1989, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Reedley, CA
- Coordinates: 36.649654, -119.400131 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6497&lon=-119.4001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26689
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26689/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA037

## Probable cause

PILOT'S IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCE LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM RUNWAY 33 FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRACTICING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. ON THE PILOT'S THIRD ATTEMPTED LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED HARD, BALLOONED AND BOUNCED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE AIRCRAFT'S NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED, AND THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A HANGAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3551R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3551R-2012-09-18), registration cancelled 2012-09-18, S/N M-723, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23
- Registry model: [Beech A23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23) (registry code 1151204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-346 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-346-series) (registry code 17033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M723
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-346-A 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steven R. Hurd
- Departed: 032
- Destination: 032, REEDLEY, CA
- Airport: 032, Reedley Muni, runway 33, 3,300 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 111 total, 17 in this make and model, 68 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19891118045799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891118045799A), Nov 18, 1989: Beech A23, Reedley, CA, Substantial damage. Leveled off high on landing, dropped to runway,bounced. Lost control and veered into collision with a hangar.

## Other investigations on N3551R (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW66D0323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66D0323), Sep 20, 1965: Beechcraft M-23 (N3551R), Afton, LA, substantial damage

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
