# NTSB LAX92LA386: Beech A36, N583T, Avalon, CA, May 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1992, 16:23 local (23:23 UTC)
- Place: Avalon, CA
- Coordinates: 33.379703, -118.450592 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3797&lon=-118.4506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27764
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA386
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27764/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA386

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO PILOT INCAPACITATION FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON(S).

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

FLIGHT WAS RECEIVING VFR FLIGHT FOLLOWING THRU THE LOS ANGELES TCA. AT ABOUT 1620, FLIGHT WAS HANDED OFF TO ANOTHER SECTOR CONTROLLER AND GIVEN A FREQ CHANGE. THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED. HE DID NOT CONTACT THE NEW SECTOR CONTROLLER, AND NO FURTHER RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WERE NOTED. RECORDED RADAR DATA SHOWS THAT THE AIRCRAFT MAINTAINED A STRAIGHT GROUND TRACK AT 5,500 FT DURING THE HANDOFF AND FREQ CHANGE ASSIGNMENT. AT 1622:37, THE ALTITUDE CHANGED TO 5,300 FT. DURING THE NEXT 18 SECONDS THE ALTITUDE DECREASED TO 3,100 FT AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF DESCENT OF ABOUT 7,000 FPM. THE LAST RECORDED RADAR POSITION IS OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN MID CHANNEL BETWEEN THE MAINLAND AND CATALINA ISLAND. THERE WERE NO KNOWN MAINTENANCE DISCREPANCIES AGAINST THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE AIRCRAFT IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE HAD ABOUT 34 GALS OF FUEL ON BOARD. THE PILOT HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT 1 WEEK EARLIER; HE HAD REPORTEDLY FELL ASLEEP WHILE DRIVING. HE ALSO REPORTEDLY HAD 'VERY BAD BRUISES ON HIS BODY IN THE AREA OF THE SEAT BELT AND SHOULDER HARNESS.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N583T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N583T-1994-03-03), registration cancelled 1994-03-03, S/N E1020 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-1020
- Airframe hours: 3635
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert O. Gibbel
- Registered owner: Robert O. Gibbel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1992, 30 hours before
- Departed: PRB, PASO ROBLES, CA
- Destination: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 2,700 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNA, 11 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 19920502015399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920502015399A), May 2, 1992: Beech A36, Avalon, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Became missing over ocean near Avalon. Radar shows 7000 fpm descent prior coast mode. Was injured prior auto wreck.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.