Beech 3NM accident near Anza, California, March 11, 2003
On March 11, 2003, a Beech 3NM, registered N14437, was destroyed in an accident near Anza, California (Lake Riverside Estates airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate airspeed resulting in a stall and loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 11, 2003
- Place
- Anza, California · Lake Riverside Estates · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 3NM · all 3NMs on the register
- Registration
- N14437 · no longer on the register · serial CA202
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with terrain while maneuvering in the base to final turn for landing. According to a witness, the airplane approached from the north and circled the airport in a counterclockwise orbit. It turned south (left) after crossing the departure end of runway 28, and flew parallel to the south side of the runway. During this turn, the landing gear came down. A witness observed it turn left base for landing. Throughout this sequence the engines sounded steady and smooth. It remained in the left turn, and then appeared to cross the extended centerline of the runway. Then the left turn increased sharply so that the wings were about 90 degrees to the horizon. The nose of the airplane then dropped abruptly to a nearly vertical position. The witness heard the engines sounds change like they were popping or stalling. The airplane maintained the nose low attitude until it hit the ground and burst into flames. Post accident examination did not reveal any evidence of engine malfunction or anomalies with the control system. Three of the four propeller blades exhibited chordwise striations; fire consumed the outboard portion of the remaining blade. The pilot did not hold a multiengine rating and had owned the airplane since 1978.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,530 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 8,750 lb
- Seats: 10
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN14B (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: RIR Riverside CA
- Destination: 4LO Anza CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 3,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 pm from RIV, 33 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number LAX03FA111.