# NTSB LAX91FA036: Beech 95-A55, N1594S, Woodland, CA, November 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1990, 17:20 local (Nov 22, 1990, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Woodland, CA
- Coordinates: 38.710399, -121.850166 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7104&lon=-121.8502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26963
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26963/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA036

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF HIS ALTITUDE TO ASSURE TERRAIN CLEARANCE DURING A NIGHT VISUAL APPROACH. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE DARK NIGHT, UNLIT TERRAIN, THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT NIGHT TIME, THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPORT, AND AN IMPROPERLY PLANNED APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AIRPLANE OBSERVED FLYING OVER RWY 34 IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION AT ABOUT 200-300 FT AGL. THE ENGINES SOUNDED NORMAL. WRECKAGE LOCATED 1.5 MI NNW OF THE AIRPORT DISTRIBUTED ON A 086 DEG HEADING; PUBLISHED RIGHT TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR RWY 16. AREA RURAL FARMLAND, FEW SOURCES OF AMBIENT LIGHT. NO NIGHT TIME LOGGED PRECEDING 90 DAYS. NO RECORD OF PILOT FLYING INTO AIRPORT PREVIOUSLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1594S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1594S-1994-04-22), registration cancelled 1994-04-22, S/N TC323 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95-A55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-A55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-a55) (registry code 1152704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-323
- Airframe hours: 4365
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO 470L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tengler, Joseph F
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 12, 1990, 23 hours before
- Departed: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA
- Airport: 2Q3, Yolo County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 279 total, 32 in this make and model, 182 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMF, 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 19901121051069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901121051069A), Nov 21, 1990: Beech 95A55, Winters/Davis/W, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into ground turning final for night downwind landing. No recent night time. No ground lights.

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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