What happened
On October 1, 2018, a Beech V35, registration N7997M, was on a visual approach to Brackett Field Airport (POC) in La Verne, California, following a flight from Bishop, California. The weather conditions were visual meteorological conditions (VMC) with a visibility of 10 statute miles and winds from 120 degrees at 5 knots.
During the approach, the air traffic control tower instructed the pilot to perform a straight-in approach for runway 8R. The controller then notified the pilot of another aircraft, a Cessna, one mile ahead and inbound for runway 8L. During the subsequent communications, the pilot expressed confusion regarding the runway assignments, at one point stating he was intending to land on runway 8L before being corrected by the controller. The pilot later reported seeing the Cessna aligned with runway 8R, which prompted the controller to verify that the Cessna was actually landing on runway 8L and to reconfirm the pilot's clearance for runway 8R.
Approximately 20 seconds after the pilot confirmed his clearance, the controller instructed the pilot to perform a go-around and offset his flight path to the right. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft struck trees, resulting in a post-impact fire. The pilot sustained 1 fatal injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found the aircraft had struck a 50-foot-tall tree approximately 900 feet from the approach end of runway 8R. The debris path spanned approximately 400 feet.
Mechanical examination of the Beech V35 revealed no anomalies in the engine or airframe that would have prevented normal operation. The engine's six cylinders were found to be in good condition through borescope examination, and rotational continuity was established throughout the engine and valve train. While the aircraft sustained significant fire damage and structural deformation, including a separated left wing outboard section, no mechanical failure was identified as a cause.
Findings
- The pilot failed to maintain clearance from trees during the visual approach.
- The pilot's attention was diverted from the task of flying the airplane due to confusion and multiple communications with air traffic control regarding runway assignments and traffic positioning.