# NTSB LAX90LA057: Beech 33, N875R, Gorman, CA, December 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 1989, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Gorman, CA
- Coordinates: 34.859939, -118.870765 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8599&lon=-118.8708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26710
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26710/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA057

## Probable cause

THE MALFUNCTIONING PROPELLER GOVERNOR, AND THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE OF THE APPROACH PATH DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE POWER LINES ACROSS THE APPROACH PATH TO THE RUNWAY AND THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN CONDITIONS.

## 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, cruise - normal
  - propeller governor control - erratic (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ravine (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT 7,500 FT THE PILOT NOTICED THE RPM FLUCTUATING 50-100 RPM. THE PROP THEN STARTED CYCLING 'WILDLY'. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO STABILIZE THE CYCLING BY THROTTLING BACK, AND ELECTED TO GLIDE TO AN AIRPORT. POWER LINES WERE OBSERVED ACROSS THE APPROACH TO RWY 26. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED SHORT ON TOP OF A HILL AND ROLLED INTO A RAVINE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE PROP GOVERNOR HAD 235 HRS SINCE OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N875R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N875R-1992-08-19), registration cancelled 1992-08-19, S/N CD31 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 33
- Registry model: [Beech 35-33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-33) (registry code 1151402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CD-31
- Airframe hours: 3974
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ray And Anne Glover
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1989, 100 hours before
- Departed: 068, MARIPOSA, CA
- Destination: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Airport: CL46, Quail Lake, runway 26, 3,180 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 560 total, 92 in this make and model, 504 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19891227053319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891227053319A), Dec 27, 1989: Beech 3533, Gorman/Lancaste, CA, Substantial damage. Wild prop flucuations. Elected to glide to nearby airport. Landed short. Prop governor.

## Other investigations on N875R (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 MKC66F0222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66F0222), Sep 9, 1965: Beechcraft 35-33 (N875R), Omaha, NE, 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.

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