# NTSB SEA92LA027: Beech 35, Klamath Falls, OR, December 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Date: December 7, 1991, 00:12 UTC, 16:12 local (the day before locally)
- Place: Klamath Falls, OR
- Coordinates: 42.160118, -121.680877 (estimated)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director, April 23, 1993
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41615
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA027
- NTSB report (PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41615/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA027

## Probable cause

PILOT FACTOR IN THAT HE FAILED TO FOLLOW IFR PROCEDURES. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE GENERATOR FAILURE, OPERATION WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES WITH EQUIPMENT, AND POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING.

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRLANES GENERATOR QUIT.  THE PILOT OPTED TO DIVERT TO ANOTHER AIRPORT WHERE HE WAS DIRECTED TO FLY THE DME ARC FOR LANDING.  THE PILOT WAS ESTABLISHED ON THE ARC FOR A SHORT TIME THEN TURNED INBOUND BEFORE INTERCEPTING THE PUBLISHED RADIAL INBOUND.  THE PILOT DID NOT FOLLOW A STRAIGHT LINE COURSE TO THE AIRPORT AND EVENTUALLY REPORTED TO AIR TRAFFIC THAT HE WAS LOSING HIS RADIOS AND HIS BATTERY WAS GOING DEAD.  THE FLIGHT CONTINUED TO DESCEND OFF OF THE PUBLISHED PROCEDURES AND COLLIDED INTO MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system,generator - other (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3323V, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3323V-1992-07-24) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Registry model: Beech 35 (registry code 1151502, https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-784
- Airframe hours: 4987
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-11 185 horsepower
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: RUSSELL W. HACKLER
- Departed: HWD, HAYWARD, CA
- Destination: S21, SUNRIVER, OR
- Airport: LMT, KINGSLEY FIELD, runway 14

## Flight crew

- Pilot; age 47; private; medical class 2; hours: 2 24 hours, 2 24 hours in this make and model, 12 30 days, 12 30 days in this make and model, 46 90 days, 46 90 days in this make and model, 2,159 pic, 2,200 total, 2,000 total in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 12 knots
- Visibility (statute miles): 10
- Lowest ceiling (ft AGL): 1900
- Temperature (°F): 39.2

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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From OpenAirDocs.org, an independent open copy of NTSB and FAA data. The NTSB's own report is the official record of an investigation.