# NTSB LAX92LA250: Beech A-23, N1482L, Willows, CA, June 16, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1992, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Willows, CA
- Location: 39.5158° N, 122.2173° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WILLOWS/GLENN COUNTY (WLW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5158&lon=-122.2173&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27650
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA250
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27650/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA250

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE FLARE ALTITUDE AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER AIRSPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vref) - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS COMPLETING A LOCAL VISUAL FLIGHT RULES PERSONAL FLIGHT. THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE ALTITUDE AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER AIRSPEED DURING THE FLARE AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND SLAMMED INTO THE GROUND.  THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED ONCE AND SLID OFF THE RUNWAY.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE PREVAILING SURFACE WINDS WERE OUT OF THE SOUTH/SOUTHEAST AT 5 KNOTS GUSTING TO 7 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1482L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1482L-2001-02-27), registration cancelled 2001-02-27, S/N M-882 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A-23
- Registry model: [Beech A23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23) (registry code 1151204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M882
- Airframe hours: 2674
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-346-A 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harvey P. Ferrier
- Registered owner: Harvey P. Ferrier
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 1991, 29 hours before
- Departed: O68, MARIPOSA, CA
- Destination: WLW, WILLOWS, CA
- Airport: WLW, Willows-Glenn County, runway 16, 4,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 618 total, 262 in this make and model, 618 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots, gusting 7
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920616020659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920616020659A), Jun 16, 1992: Beech A23, Willows, CA, Substantial damage. On final approach just before the flare,aircraft dropped rapidly and slammed into runway,possible downdraft.

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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