# NTSB LAX91FA040: Beech S-35, N5748K, Kingman, AZ, November 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1990, 21:40 local (Nov 20, 1990, 04:40 UTC)
- Place: Kingman, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.240913, -113.76094 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2409&lon=-113.7609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26965
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26965/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA040

## Probable cause

PROPER ALTITUDE NOT MAINTAINED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE LACK OF SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT, PILOT FATIGUE, IMPROPER USE OF THE AUTO PILOT, AND PILOT COMPLACENCY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - oxygen system - unavailable, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - autopilot - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fatigue(circadian rhythm), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE 57 YEAR OLD PILOT DEPARTED LATE IN THE DAY FOR A 7 TO 8 HOUR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT TO BEAT SOME INCOMING WEATHER. HE HAD BEEN PHEASANT HUNTING FOR TWO DAYS PRIOR. THE SECOND LEG OF HIS TRIP WAS A DARK NIGHT DEPARTURE FOR WHICH HE FILED A VFR FLIGHT PLAN AND INDICATED 12500 FEET MSL AS HIS CRUISING ALTITUDE. RADAR DATA DISCLOSED THAT HE CLIMBED TO 13100 FEET AT ONE POINT, HOWEVER, HIS OVERALL ROUTE OF FLIGHT FOR NEARLY 3 HOURS WAS ONE OF A MEANDERING AND UNDULATING TRACK. THE APPROXIMATE LAST 10 MINUTES OF FLIGHT WAS A GRADUAL ON TRACT DESCENT TO IMPACT AT ABOUT 5700 FEET, ABOUT AN HOUR SHORT OF HIS DESTINATION. HE CARRIED NO SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN. FRIENDS INDICATED HE FREQUENTLY TOOK 'CAT NAPS' ON LONG CROSS COUNTRY TRIPS WHILE LETTING THE AUTO PILOT FLY THE AIRCRAFT. HIS AUTOPILOT WAS OPERATIONAL EXCEPT FOR THE ALTITUDE HOLD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5748K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5748K-1991-05-23), registration cancelled 1991-05-23, S/N D7535 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH S-35
- Registry model: [Beech S35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (registry code 1151532) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-7535
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Crimmins, William H.
- Departed: GJT, GRAND JUNCTION, CO
- Destination: TRM, THERMAL, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,600 total, 37 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: PRC, 70 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 19901119051729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901119051729A), Nov 19, 1990: Beech S35, Kingman, AZ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. In gradual descent struck mountain ridge. Bounced over ridge. No oxygen onboard,autopilot altitude hold inop.

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.