# NTSB LAX93FA118: Beech E33, N7882R, Avalon, CA, February 16, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1993, 19:45 local (Feb 16, 1993, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Avalon, CA
- Coordinates: 33.379699, -118.450561 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3797&lon=-118.4506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27824
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93FA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27824/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93FA118

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGEMENT WHICH RESULTED IN HIS ATTEMPT TO PERFORM AEROBATICS AT NIGHT IN HILLY TERRAIN AT AN ALTITUDE INADEQUATE FOR TERRAIN CLEARANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A WITNESS SAID THAT HE HEARD THE ENGINE 'REVVING AND PULLING UP REAL HARD.' HE RAN OUT ON HIS PORCH AND OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE 'GOING STRAIGHT UP AND DID A LOOP.' THE AIRPLANE CAME BACK DOWN, AND AGAIN WENT STRAIGHT UP IN THE SKY. HE NOTICED THAT THE LANDING LIGHTS 'HIT THE CLOUD DECK.' ANOTHER WITNESS STATED THAT HE COULD SEE THE SILHOUETTES OF ALL THE MOUNTAIN TOPS IN THE AREA BY NATURAL LIGHT. THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT MEDICAL OR BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW. THE PILOT'S TOXICOLOGICAL RESULTS WERE POSITIVE; 73 MG/DL OF ETHANOL DETECTED IN THE LIVER, AND 180 MG/DL OF ETHANOL DETECTED IN THE KIDNEY. A BROKEN 1/2 GAL PLASTIC BOTTLE OF WHISKEY WAS FOUND IN THE MAIN WRECKAGE. THE PILOT'S DRIVER'S LICENSE HAD BEEN SUSPENDED TWICE IN 1992 FOR EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL LEVELS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7882R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7882R-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N CD-1208, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E33
- Registry model: [Beech E33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e33) (registry code 1151422) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CD-1208
- Engines: Continental IO-470-N 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edmond C. Long
- Registered owner: Edmond C. Long
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1990
- Departed: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °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 19930215002309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930215002309A), Feb 15, 1993: Beech E33, Avalon, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled and spun in from top of third loop. Blood alcohol level intoxicated. Had prior alcohol problems.

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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