History of Flight
On February 5, 2016, about 1500 Pacific standard time, a Beechcraft M35 (N9872R) and a Bellanca 8KCAB (N5057G) collided over Los Angeles Harbor about 2 miles south of Angels Gate Lighthouse, San Pedro, California. The Beechcraft was operated by its owner, a private pilot, with a pilot-rated passenger. The Bellanca was operated by its owner, a private pilot. All three occupants were fatally injured. Both airplanes were substantially damaged. Both flights were conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plans were filed. The Beechcraft had departed Camarillo Airport (CMA) for Zamperini Field Airport (TOA); the Bellanca had departed TOA about 1430 for a local area flight.
According to radar data, the Beechcraft traveled southeast from CMA along the coast, through the Special Flight Rules Area (VFR corridor) over Los Angeles International Airport at 3,500 ft, then continued south, turned east over the ocean near San Pedro, and was descending on an east-northeast heading. The Bellanca departed TOA, flew south over the ocean, with an intermittent transponder reporting between 3,000 and 3,500 ft. Primary radar showed the Bellanca on a west-northwest heading. The tracks converged at a shallow nearly head-on angle.
After the collision, the Beechcraft continued northeast for about 27 seconds before impacting the water; the Bellanca made a descending left turn toward the southwest and impacted the water at 1501.
A pilot on frequency 121.95 heard a female transmit "57G we're in trouble here" and then "help." No other radio calls from either aircraft were heard.
Witnesses observed aircraft crashing into the ocean. One witness reported a red and white airplane hit the water at high speed at a 90° angle. Another saw an airplane in a nose dive and then a second airplane crashing.
Personnel
The Beechcraft pilot, age 61, held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and instrument ratings. His third-class medical certificate was issued April 2, 2015, requiring corrective lenses. He reported 1,186 total flight hours, 19.4 in the previous 6 months.
The Beechcraft pilot-rated passenger, age 80, held a commercial pilot certificate and a flight instructor certificate. His third-class medical was issued November 17, 2015, requiring glasses for near vision. He reported 2,394 total flight hours, 16.7 in the previous 6 months.
The Bellanca pilot, age 72, held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land rating. Her third-class medical was issued May 18, 2015, requiring glasses for near vision. She had cataract surgery over a year prior. She reported 1,034 total flight hours, 6 in the previous 6 months.
Aircraft
The Beechcraft M35 was a low-wing airplane painted red and white with a red undercarriage and white nose/cowling. The Bellanca 8KCAB was a high-wing airplane painted red, white, and blue with a white undercarriage, blue and white wing striping, and red/white tail.
Meteorological Information
Sunset was at 1728 according to the United States Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department.
Wreckage and Impact
Both airplanes impacted the water and sank. The Beechcraft was located at 88 feet sea water and recovered on February 7, 2016; the Bellanca at 110 feet and recovered on February 9, 2016. All three pilots remained in their respective airplanes.
Medical and Pathological
Autopsies determined cause of death for all three as multiple blunt force trauma, manner accident. Toxicology showed ethanol in Beechcraft pilot's muscle and lung tissue (putrefaction noted); ethanol in pilot-rated passenger's muscle but not liver (putrefaction noted) and atorvastatin; ethanol in Bellanca pilot's muscle and liver (putrefaction noted) and diphenhydramine.
Tests and Research
Examination of both aircraft found no preimpact anomalies. No paint transfer witness marks were identified. The Beechcraft was missing the outer 5-6 feet of left aileron and wing, left stabilizer; left main landing gear tire had a deep cut; propeller blades had leading edge gouges and bending. The Bellanca was missing about 9 feet of outboard left wing; left horizontal stabilizer had leading edge indentation; propeller blades had aft bending with no marks. A handheld GPS from the Beechcraft yielded only a track log dated 1989.
Additional Information
FAA sectional charts note an intensive flight training area with recommended radio frequencies. The FAA Airplane Flying Handbook and NTSB safety alerts address midair collision awareness and prevention.