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NTSB Report
December 27, 1986 · Beech E-55 · N111FC
East Palo Alto, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 27, 1986
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (6 fatalities)
Location
East Palo Alto, CA
Aircraft
Beech E-55
Tail Number
N111FC
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX87FA069
THE PILOT AND 5 PASSENGERS DEPARTED FOR A PLANNED VACATION IN MEXICO IN DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVEDTO DEPART FROM RUNWAY 30, TURN FROM THE CROSSWIND TO THE DOWNWIND LEG AND THE AIRCRAFT 'LOST ALTITUDE RAPIDLY' AND IMPACTED IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY. A PILOT WHO IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PALO ALTO AIRPORT STATED THAT WHEN MAKING A RIGHT CROSSWIND FROM RUNWAY 30 'THE BAY WATERS AND THE HORIZON CAN BLEND AS ONE.' THE PILOT MUST 'REFERENCE FLIGHT INSTRUMENTSFOR A SHORT PERIOD. IT CAN CATCH A PILOT BY SURPRISE.' THE PILOT RECEIVED HIS INSTRUMENT RATING IN 1975. NO RECORD OF INSTRUMENT CURRENCY COULD BE FOUND.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT AND 5 PASSENGERS DEPARTED FOR A PLANNED VACATION IN MEXICO IN DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVEDTO DEPART FROM RUNWAY 30, TURN FROM THE CROSSWIND TO THE DOWNWIND LEG AND THE AIRCRAFT 'LOST ALTITUDE RAPIDLY' AND IMPACTED IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY. A PILOT WHO IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PALO ALTO AIRPORT STATED THAT WHEN MAKING A RIGHT CROSSWIND FROM RUNWAY 30 'THE BAY WATERS AND THE HORIZON CAN BLEND AS ONE.' THE PILOT MUST 'REFERENCE FLIGHT INSTRUMENTSFOR A SHORT PERIOD. IT CAN CATCH A PILOT BY SURPRISE.' THE PILOT RECEIVED HIS INSTRUMENT RATING IN 1975. NO RECORD OF INSTRUMENT CURRENCY COULD BE FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:32 PST
Nearest AirportPALOALTO (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width65 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech E-55
Tail NumberN111FC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-C · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary6 injuries (6 fatalities)
Fatal6
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total6
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWIT