Casualties unknown

Aircraft Vanishes on Local Flight, Discovered Months Later in Desert Wash (N8875A)

Ocotillo, CA, US

On May 11, 1988, a Beech B-35 (registration N8875A) was involved in an aviation accident near Ocotillo, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

Four individuals were seen boarding the aircraft on May 11, 1988. The aircraft was found partially buried in a desert dry wash on October 16, 1988, almost completely destroyed by fire. Only two occupants could be identified from fragmentary remains.

Disappearance

On May 11, 1988, an aircraft departed on what was presumed to be a local personal flight. Four individuals were observed boarding the aircraft, one of whom was the owner. The aircraft subsequently disappeared.

Discovery

The wreckage was located on October 16, 1988, partially buried in a desert dry wash. No ground scars were evident in the wash, which showed signs of heavy water activity. The aircraft was almost entirely consumed by fire.

Investigation

Examination of the site yielded fragmentary remains; only two persons could be identified, neither of which was the aircraft owner. Investigators identified no preimpact malfunctions or failures. The condition of the wreckage and the lack of ground scars suggested that the aircraft had been deposited in the wash by water flow after the accident, though the exact sequence of events could not be determined from the available evidence.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X25721. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.