LAX98FA113

The VFR pilot and passengers departed into an approximate 500-foot agl stratus deck off the end of the coastal runway. Witnesses observed the aircraft enter the stratus, come out, re-enter at a steep angle, and then descend from the stratus into the terrain.

History of flight

On March 15, 1998, about 1440 hours Pacific standard time, a Beech B95A, N569T, was destroyed after colliding with trees and terrain following takeoff at Little River, California. The pilot and three passengers received fatal injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating as a personal cross-country return flight to Woodland, California.

Ground witnesses observed the aircraft takeoff, climb, and disappear into a low stratus deck just off the end of the coastal runway. They saw the aircraft descend out of the stratus then climb back into the stratus deck before descending into the terrain.

Personnel information

The non-instrument rated private pilot reported a total flight time of 936 hours at his most recent third-class flight physical dated November 11, 1997.

The pilot's logbook No. 2 was recovered and the first entry was dated January 2, 1988. The last log entry was dated February 23, 1998, for a biennial flight review in the accident aircraft. A review of the untotaled logbook revealed no entries were made in the actual instrument or simulated instrument sections.

Aircraft information

The airframe and engine logbooks were not recovered. According to information obtained from the maintenance provider, the aircraft had received an annual inspection dated March 18,1997.

The pilot purchased 42 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel prior to departure from Little River.

Meteorological information

According to the airport supervisor/certified weather observer, the weather was a variable and indefinite ceiling between 300 and 600 feet agl with visibility of 5 to 10 miles. The wind was from the west at 6 to 10 knots.

Earlier in the day when the aircraft had arrived at Little River, the stratus deck was offshore and had gradually migrated inland over the airport. The weather condition was typical for the area according to the airport supervisor.

There were no official weather reporting facilities near the accident area, nor facilities with representative coastal weather.

Wreckage and impact information

Postaccident examinations of the airframe and engines were conducted on-scene and after retrieval.

The accident site was located southwest of the runway in a densely forested area. The approximate wreckage path was 030 degrees over about 300 feet.

The airframe structure was fragmented into numerous sections with tree impact signatures on leading edge surfaces. The entire aircraft structure was accounted for at the accident site.

Due to the fragmented condition of the wreckage, control establishment was not possible. The fuel selectors were set to the main fuel tanks, and both wing flaps and landing gears were in the up position at the time of the accident. Both propellers revealed chordwise striations, leading edge damage, and tip loss.

The nose baggage door latches were found fastened and separated from the fuselage structure. The cabin door was found separated from the fuselage with the latching handle in the locked and extended position. The aft baggage latch was found in the latched position.

Medical and pathological information

On March 16, 1998, the Mendocino County Coroner performed an autopsy on the pilot. During the course of the autopsy, the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma obtained samples for toxicological analysis. The analysis for carbon monoxide and cyanide were not performed due to lack of suitable specimen. The analysis was negative for volatiles and drugs, however, Cimetidine, an antiulcer medication, was detected in the kidney and liver fluid.

Additional information

The wreckage was released to the insurance company representative on April 7, 1998.