# NTSB LAX92LA339: Beech D17S, N92SL, Bishop, CA, August 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1992, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Bishop, CA
- Coordinates: 37.499568, -118.309761 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4996&lon=-118.3098&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): 27722
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA339
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27722/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA339

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL; IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER AND EXCESSIVE BRAKING.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE MAKE AND MODEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE RETURNED TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER COMPLETING A LOCAL VISUAL FLIGHT RULES PERSONAL FLIGHT AND WAS PRACTICING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS ON RUNWAY 30.  ON THE THIRD LANDING ROLL-OUT THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND USED EXCESSIVE BRAKING CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO NOSE OVER ONTO ITS BACK.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO PREEXISTING AIRPLANE MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS AND/OR FAILURES.  THE PILOT ACCRUED ONLY 5 HOURS IN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE MAKE AND MODEL AND THAT THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WAS THE FIRST TIME HE FLEW THE AIRPLANE MAKE AND MODEL WITHIN THE PRECEDING 90 DAYS.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE SURFACE WINDS WERE FROM 300 DEGREES BETWEEN 0 AND 5 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92SL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N92SL), registered now, S/N 01640, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D17S
- Registry model: [Beech D17S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d17s) (registry code 1150538) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 01640
- Airframe hours: 1922
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN3 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nikolaus, Dennis & Linda
- Registered owner: Nikolaus, Dennis & Linda
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1992, 6 hours before
- Airport: BIH, Bishop, runway 3, 5,600 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 842 total, 5 in this make and model, 837 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19920808030279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920808030279A), Aug 8, 1992: Beech D17S, Bishop, CA, Substantial damage. Nosed over on landing. Applied excess brakes to maintain directional control during a wheel landing.

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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