# NTSB OAK78FA049: Beech C-24R, N23994, Big Sur, CA, September 8, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 8, 1978
- Place: Big Sur, CA · BIG SUR, CA
- Location: 36.2702° N, 121.8075° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Big Sur, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2702&lon=-121.8075&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 17, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139758
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK78FA049
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78FA049

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2904   78/9/8  NR.BIG SUR,CA         BEECH C-24R         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 23, 200
        TIME - 1835                    N23994              PX-  3  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 20 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          SALINAS,CA                  LOCAL                        CARMEL VALLEY,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL                                                    IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FLEW INTO BLIND CANYON
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- CRASHED ON SIDE OF BOX CANYON NEAR MOUNTAINOUS RIDGE LINE. PLT BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL .07%.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23994](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23994-1981-05-06), registration cancelled 1981-05-06, S/N MC-474, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C-24R
- Registry model: [Beech C24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c24r) (registry code 1151254) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19780908035179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780908035179A), Sep 8, 1978: Beech A2319, Big Sur, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Crashed on side of box canyon near mountainous ridge line. Plt blalcohol level .07 .

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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