# NTSB LAX92FA313: Beech 23, N2359J, Fall River Mill, CA, July 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1992, 17:40 local (Jul 22, 1992, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Fall River Mill, CA
- Coordinates: 41.009426, -121.469467 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0094&lon=-121.4695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27444
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA313
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27444/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA313

## 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

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - flt control syst,stabilator control cable/rod - binding(mechanical) (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - stabilator - restricted (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2359J-1992-12-15), registration cancelled 1992-12-15, S/N M317 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 23
- Registry model: [Beech 23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-23) (registry code 1151202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M317
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920722026609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920722026609A), Jul 22, 1992: Beech 23BEECH, Fall River Mill, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Trying land in strong crosswind. Began steep downwind turn on go around. Stalled. Elevator bind due oil can in tail

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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