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NTSB Report
March 2, 1991 · Beech BE-77 · N3846X
Carmel Valley, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 2, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Carmel Valley, CA
Aircraft
Beech BE-77
Tail Number
N3846X
Operator
Burford a Carlson
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX91LA118
THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT AND A NON-CERTIFICATED PASSENGER, BOTH CO-OWNERS OF THE AIRPLANE, DEPARTED THE AIRPORT WITH THE PASSENGER AT THE CONTROLS. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE, GUSTY WINDS AND WIND SHEAR AND WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB OVER ABOUT 300 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AND BEGAN MANEUVERING THE AIRPLANE TO AVOID RISING TERRAIN AND ATTEMPTED TO GAIN OROGRAPHIC LIFT FROM SURROUNDING HILLS. WITH THE STALL WARNING SOUNDING, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE ON A RIDGE LINE ABOUT 1 MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE THEN DESCENDED THROUGH SEVERAL OTHER TREES AND WAS DESTROYED. A SIGMET WAS IN EFFECT FOR LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE PIC TO SUPERVISE A NON-CERTIFICATED PILOT AND TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WITH SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH TREES. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PIC TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING AND ASSESS HAZARDOUS WIND CONDITIONS AND OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE PILOT'S ABILITY TO DEAL WITH THE WEATHER AND AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE ISSUES.
Full Narrative
THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT AND A NON-CERTIFICATED PASSENGER, BOTH CO-OWNERS OF THE AIRPLANE, DEPARTED THE AIRPORT WITH THE PASSENGER AT THE CONTROLS. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE, GUSTY WINDS AND WIND SHEAR AND WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB OVER ABOUT 300 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AND BEGAN MANEUVERING THE AIRPLANE TO AVOID RISING TERRAIN AND ATTEMPTED TO GAIN OROGRAPHIC LIFT FROM SURROUNDING HILLS. WITH THE STALL WARNING SOUNDING, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE ON A RIDGE LINE ABOUT 1 MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE THEN DESCENDED THROUGH SEVERAL OTHER TREES AND WAS DESTROYED. A SIGMET WAS IN EFFECT FOR LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:56 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech BE-77
Tail NumberN3846X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBurford a Carlson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:46
Weather SourceWFAC