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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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June 7, 1986 · Beech M35 · N398Z

Swall Meadows, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 7, 1986
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Location
Swall Meadows, CA
Aircraft
Beech M35
Tail Number
N398Z
Operator
R & S Richmong & B Guberman
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86FA247

THE CIVIL AIR PATROL (CAP) ORGANIZED & PROVIDED INSTRUCTORS TO TEACH CAP MISSION PLTS TECHNIQUES OF 'HIGH ALTITUDE' SEARCH FLYING DURING A 2-DAY COURSE. THE CURRICULUM INCLUDED MAKING A LANDING APPROACH TO A 6080 FT ELEVATION AIRSTRIP. THE APPROACH WAS TO BE TERMINATED WITH A GO-AROUND FOR WHICH SUCCESSFUL EXECUTION REQUIRED PROMPTLY TURNING THE ACFT AWAY FROM THE RISING TERRAIN LOCATED BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE TRAINEE-PILOT FLEW THE APPROACH BUT ALLOWED THE AIRSPEED TO SLOW BELOW THE BEST ANGLE OF CLIMB. WHILE THE GEAR & FLAPS WERE BEING RAISED THE PLT ALSO FAILED TO PROMPTLY TURN THE ACFT AWAY FROM THE RISING TERRAIN. BECAUSE OF THE 8500 FT DENSITY ALTITUDE, THE ACFT'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE WAS DEGRADED, & THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE RISING TERRAIN. THE CFI FAILED TO ADEQUATELY MONITOR HIS STUDENT'S PERFORMANCE, & HE FAILED TO FOLLOW ESTABLISHED CAP PROCEDURES WHICH REQUIRED HIM TO ISSUE MISSION ABORT INSTRUCTIONS IN A TIMELY MANNER.

Full Narrative

THE CIVIL AIR PATROL (CAP) ORGANIZED & PROVIDED INSTRUCTORS TO TEACH CAP MISSION PLTS TECHNIQUES OF 'HIGH ALTITUDE' SEARCH FLYING DURING A 2-DAY COURSE. THE CURRICULUM INCLUDED MAKING A LANDING APPROACH TO A 6080 FT ELEVATION AIRSTRIP. THE APPROACH WAS TO BE TERMINATED WITH A GO-AROUND FOR WHICH SUCCESSFUL EXECUTION REQUIRED PROMPTLY TURNING THE ACFT AWAY FROM THE RISING TERRAIN LOCATED BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE TRAINEE-PILOT FLEW THE APPROACH BUT ALLOWED THE AIRSPEED TO SLOW BELOW THE BEST ANGLE OF CLIMB. WHILE THE GEAR & FLAPS WERE BEING RAISED THE PLT ALSO FAILED TO PROMPTLY TURN THE ACFT AWAY FROM THE RISING TERRAIN. BECAUSE OF THE 8500 FT DENSITY ALTITUDE, THE ACFT'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE WAS DEGRADED, & THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE RISING TERRAIN. THE CFI FAILED TO ADEQUATELY MONITOR HIS STUDENT'S PERFORMANCE, & HE FAILED TO FOLLOW ESTABLISHED CAP PROCEDURES WHICH REQUIRED HIM TO ISSUE MISSION ABORT INSTRUCTIONS IN A TIMELY MANNER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:04 PDT
Nearest AirportSwall Meadows (0nm N)
Runway32
Runway Length2000 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech M35
Tail NumberN398Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorR & S Richmong & B Guberman
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-C(1) · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind135° @ 5 kt, gusting 10 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data