# NTSB LAX91FA143: Beech 58P, N27L, Vail, AZ, March 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1991, 16:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Vail, AZ
- Coordinates: 31.949157, -110.689758 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9492&lon=-110.6898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26991
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26991/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA143

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE OWNER/PILOT HAD PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE IN MINNESOTA, AND HAD HIRED AN INSTRUCTOR PILOT WITH 1000 HOURS IN TYPE TO FLY BACK TO ARIZONA WITH HIM, AND THEN TO FLY EACH DAY WITH HIM UNTIL HE BECAME QUALIFIED AND PROFICIENT IN THE AIRPLANE. RADAR TRACKING DATA INDICATED A ROUTE TO THE EAST PRACTICE AREA AFTER DEPARTURE WHERE THE AIRPLANE MANEUVERED BETWEEN 5400 AND 7300 FEET MSL. TERRAIN ELEVATION IN THE AREA IS ABOUT 3000 FEET MSL. RADAR DATA WAS RECORDED FOR 47 MINUTES. AT A POINT WHERE GROUND SPEED WAS INDICATED TO BE 72 KNOTS, THE AIRPLANE STARTED A RAPID DESCENT AND WAS LOST FROM RADAR AT 4100 FEET MSL. WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE SPINNING CLOCKWISE IN THE PRACTICE AREA. THE LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS WERE FOUND IN THE DOWN POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27L-1991-11-08), registration cancelled 1991-11-08, S/N TJ344 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 58P
- Registry model: [Beech 58P](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58p) (registry code 1152744) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TJ-344
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-WB 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Paul D. Dempsey
- Registered owner: Paul D. Dempsey
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: TUS, TUCSON, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 416 total, 6 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 21 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken
- Observed at: TUS, 13 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 19910327007689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910327007689A), Mar 27, 1991: Beech 58P, Vail, AZ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed spinning to impact. Dual in owners new aircraft included spins, VMC demo. Gear and flaps were down.

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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