LAX92FA313

NTSB accident investigation · Beech 23 · Fall River Mill, CA · July 22, 1992

Accident · FatalField investigationFinal report
Date
July 21, 1992, 17:40 local (Jul 22, 1992, 00:40 UTC)
Place
Fall River Mill, CA
Injuries
3 fatal
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N2359JBeech 23
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report June 30, 1993
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19920722026609A
Case key
27444

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilots decision to turn down wind at a critical phase of the go around with inadequate airspeed resulting in a stall mush uncontrolled descent. Contributing to the accident was the unfavorable wind conditions and a stabilator interference caused by a lubricant container in the tail cone.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - in flightGo-around (vfr)
Weather condition - unfavorable windFactor
Weather condition - turbulenceFactor
Flt control syst,stabilator control cable/rod - binding(mechanical)Factor
Maintenance,inspection - improperOther maintenance personnelFactor
Stabilator - restrictedFactor
In-flight planning/decision - poorPilot in commandCause
Airspeed(vs) - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Stall/mush - inadvertentPilot in commandCause
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Analysis

The pilot was attempting to land in a 20 knot right crosswind with gusts to about 25 knots. According to the p.o.h. the airplanes demonstrated crosswind component is 13 knots. The pilot initiated a go around and during the initial climb the pilot turned a close left crosswind giving the airplane a 20 knot plus direct tailwind. Witnesses said the aircraft never got above 100 feet, and, after narrowly missing a water tank, it suddenly banked 90 degrees to the left and fell to the ground. Witnesses stated that the airplane was very low with positive engine power. According to local area pilots, under the wind conditions on the day of the accident the area just southwest of the airport is capable of severe turbulence, wind shears and down drafts associated with a southwesterly air flow over and between mount haney and saddle mountain. Weight and balance computations were performed using three different fuel loads and other estimated weights. All three calculations put the center of gravity at the forward c.g. limits. During the on scene accident investigation a lubricant container was found in the tail cone area. A close examination of the area revealed evidence of can contact and rubbing on the stabilator servo tab rod. The rod was found bent.

Aircraft

Registration
N2359J
Reported as
Beech 23
Category
Airplane
Serial number
M317
Engine
Lycoming O-320-02B, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Fire
On-Ground
Flight
Business · Part 91
Operator
Gary L. Smith
Registered owner
John P. Howard
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · January 16, 1992
Departed
RDD · Redding, CA
Airport
O89 · Fall River Mills, runway 2, 3,600 × 80 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
45
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Toxicology
Performed
Flight hours
1,405 total · 20 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
270° at 20 knots, gusting 25
Visibility
40 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.