# NTSB SEA95LA019: Beech A23, N4792J, La Grande, OR, November 3, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1994, 16:30 local (Nov 3, 1994, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: La Grande, OR
- Coordinates: 45.320949, -118.200805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3209&lon=-118.2008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42086
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42086/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA019

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS INCLUDE THE SOFT, WET AIRSTRIP, AND A DITCH NEAR THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND AT A DIRT AIRSTRIP THAT WAS WET, SOFT, AND MUDDY. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND IMPACTED A DITCH.

## Factual narrative

On November 2, 1994, at 1630 Pacific standard time, a Beech A23, N4792J, impacted the terrain during the landing roll at Reds Wallowa Horse Ranch Airstrip. The certified flight instructor, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The local personal pleasure flight, which departed Union County Airport, La Grande, Oregon, about 1500, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation.

According to the pilot, he was sightseeing in the local area, and decided to land at the remote airstrip in order to take some pictures. At the time of his landing, the runway was wet, muddy, and soft, and when he touched down the aircraft was pulled off to one side of the runway. As the aircraft exited the runway it impacted a ditch, and sustained substantial damage to the airframe.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4792J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4792J-1996-09-12), registration cancelled 1996-09-12, S/N MA198 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23
- Registry model: [Beech A23-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23-24) (registry code 1151226) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MAO 198
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alayan Int. Exporters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 1994, 15 hours before
- Departed: LGD, OR
- Airport: A23, Reds Wallowa Horse Ranch, runway 18, 2,000 × 40 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 510 total, 26 in this make and model, 428 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19941102040769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941102040769A), Nov 2, 1994: Beech A2324, La Grande, OR, Substantial damage. Landed on wet muddy and soft runway. Veered off into a ditch.

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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