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NTSB Report
May 7, 1988 · Beech 35 · N3322V
Santa Paula, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 7, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Santa Paula, CA
Aircraft
Beech 35
Tail Number
N3322V
Operator
Morton Francis W
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88FA192
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER TOOK OFF ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WITHOUT OBTAINING A WEATHER BRIEFING OR FILING A FLIGHT PLAN. THE CLOUD LEVELS AT THE AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE WERE REPORTED AS SCATTERED CLOUDS AT 2,500 FEET AND BROKEN CLOUDS AT 10,000 FEET. A RADAR PLOT OF THE AIRCRAFT'S TRACK AFTER TAKEOFF SHOWS THAT IT TURNED ONTO COURSE WHILE CLIMBING. IT MADE A 360 DEGREE CLIMBING TURN THROUGH 4,500-5,000 FEET AND CONTINUED CLIMBING TOWARDS ITS DESTINATION. AS THE AIRCRAFT REACHED 9,500 FEET IT ENTERED A SPIRALING DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT'S WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ON A MOUNTAIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED AT WHICH THE AIRCRAFT IS CONTROLLABLE AND ABOVE THE STALL SPEED.
Full Narrative
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER TOOK OFF ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WITHOUT OBTAINING A WEATHER BRIEFING OR FILING A FLIGHT PLAN. THE CLOUD LEVELS AT THE AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE WERE REPORTED AS SCATTERED CLOUDS AT 2,500 FEET AND BROKEN CLOUDS AT 10,000 FEET. A RADAR PLOT OF THE AIRCRAFT'S TRACK AFTER TAKEOFF SHOWS THAT IT TURNED ONTO COURSE WHILE CLIMBING. IT MADE A 360 DEGREE CLIMBING TURN THROUGH 4,500-5,000 FEET AND CONTINUED CLIMBING TOWARDS ITS DESTINATION. AS THE AIRCRAFT REACHED 9,500 FEET IT ENTERED A SPIRALING DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT'S WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ON A MOUNTAIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:14 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech 35
Tail NumberN3322V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMorton Francis W
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · E-185-1 · Reciprocating · 185
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 12 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:45
Weather SourceWFAC