# NTSB OAK73AP018: Beech C35, N5937C, Middletown, CA, December 23, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 23, 1972
- Place: Middletown, CA · MIDDLETOWN, CA
- Location: 38.7519° N, 122.6221° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Middletown, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7519&lon=-122.6221&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 27, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 169468
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK73AP018
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73AP018

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3624  72/12/23   MIDDLETOWN,CALIF    BEECH C35           CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 46, 100
        TIME - 1505                    N5937C              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PIERCE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HAYWARD,CALIF               MIDDLETOWN,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: BUZZING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- PLT BUZZED HIS HOUSE,HIT TREE 60 FT AGL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5937C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5937C-1973-06-25), registration cancelled 1973-06-25, S/N D-3298 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C35
- Registry model: [Beech C35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c35) (registry code 1151508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Pierce

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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