Beech P35 accident near Maricopa, California, November 27, 1987
On November 27, 1987 at about 11:15 pm local time, a Beech P35, registered N413EE, was substantially damaged in an accident near Maricopa, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 27, 1987 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- Maricopa, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech P35 · all P35s on the register
- Registration
- N413EE · registry record · serial D-6999
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING A PLEASURE CROSS COUNTRY FLT, A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS MADE DUE TO SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT AND A LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATION. AFTER LANDING, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE OIL LINE TO THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WAS BROKEN. AFTER REPAIRS, THE PLT TOOK OFF AND 10 MINUTES INTO THE FLT THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED AN OVERSPEED. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE PLT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND OIL BEGAN TO COVER THE WINDSHIELD. THE PLT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A ROAD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A POLE. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NO. 4 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE CRANKCASE. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE BEARING SHOWED EVIDENCE OF HIGH TEMP SCORCHING.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,218 hours in all; 98 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 1,218 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,386 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 27, 1987; 129 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,125 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-470-N1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: L17 Taft CA at 10:45 pm
- Destination: L39 Ramona CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.