Beech V35 accident near Warner Springs, California, December 20, 2008
On December 20, 2008 at about 9:30 pm local time, a Beech V35, registered N1587L, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Warner Springs, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from terrain during a low altitude maneuver.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 20, 2008 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Warner Springs, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech V35 B · all V35s on the register
- Registration
- N1587L · no longer on the register · serial D-9865
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness to the accident reported that the airplane went straight up, stalled, started to spin downward, and then dove straight toward the ground before pulling up. The witness stated that he watched the airplane do the same maneuver a second time, again going straight up, starting to spin downward, and then go straight down before impacting a field. The witness said that a few weeks prior to the accident he observed the accident airplane performing the same maneuvers. All flight control components were accounted for at the accident site. The airplane was equipped with a single control column with a single yoke, which is commonly referred to as a "throw-over yoke." The single control arm, to which the single yoke is attached, was observed separated from the control column; this precluded identifying which pilot was manipulating the controls at the time of the accident. Examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of any preexisting mechanical anomalies.
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
What happened, in order
- Abrupt maneuver during maneuvering (aerobatics)
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all; 1,299 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Other crew
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,345 hours in all
- Medical certificate: None
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 9, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CNO Chino CA at 9:00 pm
- Destination: CNO Chino CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from RNM, 24 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.