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NTSB Report
November 11, 1985 · Beech 35 · N50CN
Avenal, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 11, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Avenal, CA
Aircraft
Beech 35
Tail Number
N50CN
Operator
Melvin M Banton
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86FA037
THE PLT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING (TWICE) AND WAS ADVISED EACH TIME THAT VFR FLT ALONG HIS ROUTE WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING AT A LOW ALT BELOW A CLOUD LAYER, WHEN IT MADE AN ABRUPT LEFT DESCENDING TURN AND CRASHED IN A FIELD. ANOTHER WITNESS WAS DRIVING ON I-5 AND OBSERVED THE ACFT PASS OVERHEAD AT 300 TO 400 FT AGL BELOW THE CLOUDS, AND A SHORT TIME LATER SAW A BALL OF FLAMES NEXT TO THE HWY.L OF FLAMES NEXT TO THE HIGHWAY.
Full Narrative
THE PLT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING (TWICE) AND WAS ADVISED EACH TIME THAT VFR FLT ALONG HIS ROUTE WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING AT A LOW ALT BELOW A CLOUD LAYER, WHEN IT MADE AN ABRUPT LEFT DESCENDING TURN AND CRASHED IN A FIELD. ANOTHER WITNESS WAS DRIVING ON I-5 AND OBSERVED THE ACFT PASS OVERHEAD AT 300 TO 400 FT AGL BELOW THE CLOUDS, AND A SHORT TIME LATER SAW A BALL OF FLAMES NEXT TO THE HWY.L OF FLAMES NEXT TO THE HIGHWAY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:20 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech 35
Tail NumberN50CN
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMelvin M Banton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · E-185-8 · Reciprocating · 185
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 10 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:55
Weather SourceWFAC