# NTSB LAX93LA121: Beech C35, N1844D, Susanville, CA, February 16, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1993, 16:40 local (Feb 16, 1993, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Susanville, CA
- Coordinates: 40.570728, -120.609169 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5707&lon=-120.6092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27924
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27924/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA121

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S MISJUDGING HIS DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE AND THE PREVAILING LIGHT SNOW CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAW THE RUNWAY WHEN THE FLIGHT WAS THREE MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT.  HE ENTERED A RIGHT TRAFFIC PATTERN DURING LIGHT SNOW CONDITIONS. THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE RUNWAY DISTANCE AND THE AIRPLANE'S ALTITUDE AND LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1844D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1844D), registered now, S/N D-3141, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C35
- Registry model: [Beech C35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c35) (registry code 1151508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D3141
- Airframe hours: 4232
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chappuis, Evan E.
- Registered owner: Chappuis, Evan E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1992, 46 hours before
- Departed: MOD, MODESTO, CA
- Airport: SVE, Susanville, runway 29, 4,050 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 82; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,294 total, 2,894 in this make and model, 4,294 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °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 19930215002319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930215002319A), Feb 15, 1993: Beech C35BEECH, Susanville, CA, Substantial damage. Landed short of runway. Pilot blamed a sudden brief whiteout caused him to misjudge height. VFR was not recommended

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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