# NTSB LAX93LA027: Beech 36TC, N67434, Sedona, AZ, November 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1992, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Sedona, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.939392, -111.940895 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9394&lon=-111.9409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27855
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27855/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA027

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH AND DELAY IN EXECUTING THE APPROPRIATE REMEDIAL ACTION.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER GLIDEPATH AND ENCOUNTERING A DOWNDRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED FORECASTED TURBULENCE WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 03.  A PASSENGER REPORTED THE PILOT FLEW A LOW FINAL APPROACH.  THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT.  THE PILOT EXECUTED A GO AROUND, BUT WITHOUT SUCCESS.  REALIZING THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT CLIMBING AND WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE RUNWAY THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON THE LOWER TERRAIN TO THE LEFT OF THE AIRPORT.  THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ABOUT 150 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND ABOUT 500 FEET TO THE WEST (LEFT) OF ITS EXTENDED CENTERLINE.  AIRPORT PERSONNEL PROVIDED THE PILOT WITH AN AIRPORT ADVISORY WHICH INCLUDED THAT THE SURFACE WINDS WERE FROM THE NORTHWEST BETWEEN 25 AND 40 KNOTS.  THE AIRPORT FACILITY DIRECTORY STATES IN THE SEDONA AIRPORT REMARKS SECTION, IN PART, '...TURBULENCE MAY BE EXPERIENCED IN VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT...'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67434](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67434-2015-05-13), registration cancelled 2015-05-13, S/N EA-384 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 36TC
- Registry model: [Beech B36TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b36tc) (registry code 1151609) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: EA384
- Airframe hours: 1700
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-UB 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gray, John A.
- Registered owner: Gray, John A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1990, 150 hours before
- Departed: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Airport: SEZ, Sedona, runway 3, 5,131 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,250 total, 1,155 in this make and model, 1,207 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 25 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19921103044779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921103044779A), Nov 3, 1992: Beech B36TC, Sedona, AZ, Destroyed. Low and slow on approach, encountered down draft. Added power but settled into pinion trees short of runway.

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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