# NTSB LAX92FA196: Beech A23-24, N666CM, Corona, CA, May 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1992, 14:46 local (21:46 UTC)
- Place: Corona, CA
- Location: 33.8753° N, 117.5664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8753&lon=-117.5664&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27424
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27424/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA196

## Probable cause

1) THE FLYING PILOT'S IMPROPER LANDING FLARE WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING AND SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT EMPENNAGE FLIGHT CONTROLS, 2) THE FLYING PILOT'S DECISION TO INITIATE A GO AROUND WITH THE OBVIOUS SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT, AND 3) THE FLYING PILOT'S INABILITY TO CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT IN PITCH DUE TO THE DAMAGE SUSTAINED IN THE HARD LANDING.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOTS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload
  - horizontal stabilizer attachment - sheared
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - flt control syst,stabilator control - lack of (cause)
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - building(nonresidential)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A STUDENT PILOT WAS IN THE LEFT SEAT OF HIS NEWLY PURCHASED AIRCRAFT AND A PRIVATE PILOT OCCUPIED THE RIGHT SEAT. THE INVESTIGATION WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHO WAS FLYING THE AIRCRAFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOTS INITIATED A GO AROUND AFTER A HARD LANDING WHICH SHEARED OFF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR, BROKE THE NOSE GEAR STRUT, AND DAMAGED THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE CLIMB RATE AND THE AIRSPEED APPEARED TO BE VERY LOW, AND THAT THE LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER APPEARED TO BE BENT DOWN. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, DURING THE CROSS WIND AND DOWN WIND LEGS, THE AIRPLANE WAS MAKING ABRUPT PITCH CHANGES AND NEVER ATTAINED ALTITUDES OF MORE THAN 300 TO 500 FEET AGL.  WHILE ON A CLOSE IN DOWN WIND LEG, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK AN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET HIGHER THAN THE RUNWAY SURFACE. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD JUST TRADED ANOTHER AIRPLANE FOR THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WHICH HAD JUST HAD AN ANNUAL INSPECTION AND WAS SIGNED OFF AS UNAIRWORTHY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N666CM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N666CM-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N MA-62, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23-24
- Registry model: [Beech A23-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23-24) (registry code 1151226) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MA-62
- Airframe hours: 4467
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A2B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nix,William J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1992
- Departed: RIR, RIVERSIDE, CA
- Destination: L66, CORONA, CA
- Airport: L66, Corona Municipal, runway 25, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 65 total, 27 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CNO, 5 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 19920502013019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920502013019A), May 2, 1992: Beech A2324, Corona, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Hard landing damaged stabilator. Tried go around,struck building,crashed and burned. Ferrying newly purchased Beech

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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