# NTSB WPR24LA221: Beech B19, N6553R, Running Springs, CA, July 1, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 30, 2024, 18:20 local (Jul 1, 2024, 01:20 UTC) - Place: Running Springs, CA - Coordinates: 34.17773, -117.12951 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1777&lon=-117.1295&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 194597 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA221 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194597/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194597 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA221 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude toward rising terrain, which exceeded the climb capability of the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=1151215), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B19, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=1151215), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech B19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=1151215), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he had flown toward rising terrain, however, waited too long to turn around as the airplane had a slow rate of climb. The pilot stated that he flew the airplane into terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane’s wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6553R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6553R), registered now, S/N MB-744, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH B19 - Registry model: [Beech B19](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b19) (registry code 1151215) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: MB-744 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 3913 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 2024, 6 hours before - Departed: REI, Redlands, CA - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 85; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 17, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 14,885 total, 10,137 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 10 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: KSBD, 13 nm away - METAR: KSBD 010051Z 25010G18KT 6SM FU HZ CLR 36/03 A2987 ## 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 20240630008149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240630008149A), Jun 30, 2024: Beech B19, Calimesa, CA, Destroyed. The pilot stated that after taking off from redlands airport (rei) they were climbng out the northeast towards the mountains. During the climbout the aircraft… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 22, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194597. 6.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18402787&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Flattened_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 4 photos, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18459723&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.