History of Flight
On December 20, 2008, at approximately 1330 Pacific standard time, a Beech V35B, registration N1587L, was substantially damaged after impacting terrain near Warner Springs, California. The airplane was on a local flight that had departed from Chino Airport (CNO) in Chino, California, around 1300. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
A witness reported observing a red and white airplane in the area performing maneuvers. The airplane would climb vertically, stall, enter a spin, dive downward, and then recover. The witness saw the same sequence repeated, but on the final occasion, the airplane did not pull out; it descended nose-first and crashed into a field. The witness also recalled hearing the engine running before impact. He noted that a few weeks earlier, he had observed what he believed was the same airplane performing similar stall maneuvers.
Another pilot, who shared a hangar with the accident pilot, stated that he had flown with the accident pilot regularly, including about a month before the accident. He reported that the accident pilot typically flew south to the accident area, landed at a regional airport for lunch, and returned to CNO. He never witnessed the accident pilot performing low-altitude maneuvers or stalls en route.
Personnel Information
The pilot occupying the left forward seat was 61 years old and held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating, as well as an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate. He reported 6,000 total flight hours, with 175 hours in the previous six months. His most recent third-class medical certificate, issued January 28, 2008, required glasses for near and intermediate vision.
The pilot-rated passenger, occupying the right forward seat, was 58 years old and held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating. He reported 134.5 total flight hours, with none in the preceding six months. His third-class medical certificate renewal was denied on September 6, 2008.
Aircraft Information
The 1976 Beech V35B Bonanza, serial number D-9865, was a low-wing, all-metal, single-engine, V-tailed monoplane with retractable tricycle landing gear. It was powered by a Teledyne-Continental IO-550-BB engine and equipped with a McCauley three-bladed constant-speed propeller. The airplane had a single control column with a throw-over yoke. During the onsite examination, the control arm was found separated from the control column, preventing determination of which pilot was manipulating the controls at the time of the accident.
Maintenance records for the airplane were largely unavailable. The most recent documented annual inspection was conducted on October 9, 2007.
Meteorological Information
At 1253, the Automated Surface Observing System at Ramona Airport, about 28 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, reported wind from 300 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 14°C, dew point 4°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.13 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site was located approximately 12 miles northwest of Warner Springs. The airplane came to rest upright in a potato field, oriented on a magnetic heading of 275 degrees. The debris field measured about 100 feet in length and 60 feet in width, consisting primarily of fragmented Plexiglas. There was no post-crash fire.
Examination confirmed continuity of all primary control cables and elevator trim cables. Both wing fuel tanks were breached, and aviation fuel was detected in the surrounding soil. The fuel selector valve was positioned to the right wing tank, which was confirmed ported. All other ports were functional.
Both wings remained attached but showed compression damage on the lower leading edges. The empennage was intact, with both stabilizers and elevators attached. Elevator trim actuators measured approximately 3/4 to 7/8 inches, corresponding to 5 to 0 degrees trim tab trailing edge down. All three landing gear were retracted.
The engine controls were found with the throttle extended (pushed open), mixture extended (rich), and propeller control pushed in (high RPM). The engine sustained impact damage to its lower side but remained attached. Detailed examination was deferred until after wreckage recovery. One propeller blade was bent aft with chord-wise scratches near the hub, a second blade was bent forward with similar scratches, and the third was undamaged.
Medical and Pathological Information
Autopsies performed on both pilots ruled the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicological tests were negative for drugs and alcohol.
Tests and Research
Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no pre-impact failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.