Beech 77 accident near Madera, California, July 27, 1995
On July 27, 1995, a Beech 77, registered N38062, was substantially damaged in an accident near Madera, California (Madera airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot's improper compensation for the wind condition and improper use of the rudder. The whirlwind was a factor in this accident.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 27, 1995
- Place
- Madera, California · Madera · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 77 · all 77s on the register
- Registration
- N38062 · registry record · serial 204
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PILOT EXECUTED A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING AT THE AIRPORT AFTER COMPLETING A SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE STUDENT SAID THAT ON THE SECOND LANDING THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A STONG GUST OF WIND THAT TURNED THE AIRPLANE 45-DEGREES TO THE RIGHT. HE SAID THAT HE APPLIED EXCESSIVE LEFT RUDDER AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN SKIDDING DOWN THE RUNWAY. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED WHEN THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A PLOWED FURROW. A 30-DEGREE CROSSWIND AT 6 KNOTS EXISTED.
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: student
- Flight time: 54 hours in all; 54 in this make and model; 43 in the last 90 days; 27 in the last 30 days; 6 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,937 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 30, 1995; 66 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,675 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FAT Fresno CA at 11:30 pm
- Destination: MAE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 4,500 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.