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NTSB Report
June 19, 1989 · Beech A36 · N1778W
South Lake Taho, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 19, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
South Lake Taho, CA
Aircraft
Beech A36
Tail Number
N1778W
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN89FA141
THE PLT ABORTED THE FIRST TAKEOFF ATTEMPT DUE TO THE DOOR OPENING. ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT THE ACFT CLIMBED TO APRX 300 FT, TURNED 90 DEGS LEFT THEN BACK TO THE RWY HEADING. THE NOSE DESCENDED AND THE ACFT IMPACTED A FIELD IN A VERTICAL DIVE. FIRE BEGAN APX 15 SECONDS FOLLOWING IMPACT AND THE ACFT WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE CABIN DOOR TO HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT AT IMPACT AND THE TOP LATCH, A 'J' HOOK, WAS FRACTURED AND MISSING.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FALURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AFTER TAKEOFF DUE TO DIVERTED ATTENTION TOWARD AN OPEN ACFT DOOR.
Full Narrative
THE PLT ABORTED THE FIRST TAKEOFF ATTEMPT DUE TO THE DOOR OPENING. ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT THE ACFT CLIMBED TO APRX 300 FT, TURNED 90 DEGS LEFT THEN BACK TO THE RWY HEADING. THE NOSE DESCENDED AND THE ACFT IMPACTED A FIELD IN A VERTICAL DIVE. FIRE BEGAN APX 15 SECONDS FOLLOWING IMPACT AND THE ACFT WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE CABIN DOOR TO HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT AT IMPACT AND THE TOP LATCH, A 'J' HOOK, WAS FRACTURED AND MISSING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 PDT
Nearest AirportLake Tahoe (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length8544 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftBeech A36
Tail NumberN1778W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-BA10B · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 13 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:30
Weather SourceWFAC