# NTSB LAX92LA404: Lanceair 235, N25EH, Hollister, CA, September 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1992, 13:03 local (20:03 UTC)
- Place: Hollister, CA
- Location: 36.8556° N, 121.3995° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hollister, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8556&lon=-121.3995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27778
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA404
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27778/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA404

## Probable cause

THE PILOT PERFORMING THE FINAL SEGMENT OF A VISUAL APPROACH AT TOO LOW OF AN ALTITUDE RESULTING IN AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH A GUY WIRE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - guy wire
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE AIRPLANE WAS MAKING A LANDING APPROACH LESS THAN A MILE FROM THE AIRPORT WHEN IT STRUCK A GUY WIRE AT A HEIGHT OF ABOUT 30 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.  THE AIRPLANE WENT INTO AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT UNTIL IT STRUCK THE GROUND.  THE WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE RUNNING AT A 'HIGH SPEED' AFTER THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE WIRE.  THE AIRPLANE WAS EXAMINED ON-SCENE BY AN FAA AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR.  HE ATTRIBUTED ALL NOTED DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE TO IMPACT FORCES SUSTAINED DURING THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE AND REPORTED NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25EH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25EH-1994-04-05), registration cancelled 1994-04-05, S/N 014 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LANCEAIR 235
- Registry model: [Heldt E R/Heldt A C LANCAIR 0235](https://openairdocs.org/model/heldt-e-r-heldt-a-c-lancair-0235) (registry code 05616DG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 014
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-GPU 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Earl R. Heldt
- Registered owner: Earl R. Heldt
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 3O7
- Destination: 3O7
- Airport: 3O7, Hollister Municipal, runway 31, 3,975 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 570 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 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 19920926038779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920926038779A), Sep 26, 1992: Amtr LANCAIR, Hollister, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck a power pole guy wire on landing approach and dived into ground.

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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