Beechcraft A60 N7485D
7 July 1987 · Santa Rosa, California, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 7 July 1987 at about 17:28 local time, a Beechcraft A60 registered N7485D, operated by Gerlach, John, was involved in an accident near Santa Rosa, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 17:28
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Santa Rosa, California, United States
- Nearest airport
- Santa Rosa Air Center (001)
- Coordinates
- 38.4410, -122.7804
- Aircraft
- Beechcraft A60
- Registration
- N7485D
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Gerlach, John
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Santa Rosa → So. Lake Tahoe
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX87FA257
People
2 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED ON FINAL APPROACH WHICH RESULTED INTHE AIRCRAFT STALLING.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PIC & HIS WIFE PLANNED A 30 MIN PLEASURE FLT TO LAKE TAHOE. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE THE PLT FAILED TO VISUALLY INSPECT THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE RT WING TANK. THE TANK WAS FULL. THE TANK'S CAP PROBABLY APPEARED TO BE SECURED WHEN, IN FACT, BECAUSE OF A UNIQUE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC, IT WAS MERELY RESTING ON TOP OF THE FILLER NECK. UPON TAKEOFF ROTATION THE CAP CAME OFF THE FILLER NECK & IT WAS FOLLOWED BY A FUEL SPRAY. THE PLT RESPONDED & STAYED IN A VERY LOW ALTITUDE & CLOSE-IN TRAFFIC PATTERN. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND IMMEDIATELY. HE LOST CONTROL DURING THE TURN TO FINAL, STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE PAVEMENT PRIOR TO REACHING THE THRESHOLD.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Beechcraft A60 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Mar 1989 | Beechcraft A60 | Manassas, Virginia, United States | RTS Service Inc. | Fatal | 5 |
| 13 Apr 1989 | Beechcraft A60 | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | Gilbert Davidson | No injuries | - |
| 21 Nov 1992 | Beechcraft A60 | Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, United States | Huber, James D. | Fatal | 6 |
| 23 Apr 1982 | Beechcraft A60 | Garland, Texas, United States | Michael D. Taylor | No injuries | - |
| 27 Dec 1981 | Beechcraft A60 | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 21 Jan 1981 | Beechcraft A60 | Sacramento, California, United States | W Martin | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Nov 1987 | Durbin MONNETT MONI | Ramona, California, United States | Lipner, Robert M. | Serious injuries | - |
| 24 Dec 1987 | Bede BD-5 | Chula Vista, California, United States | Teufel, Armin U. | Fatal | 1 |
| 25 Oct 1987 | Stits ELKINS 85 | Camarillo, California, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 21 Nov 1987 | Isgrigg ELITE | Tehachapi, California, United States | Isgrigg, John | Minor injuries | - |
| 27 Dec 1987 | Rolladen-Schneider LS-3 | Santa Ynez, California, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 1 Jan 1987 | Cessna 152 | San Dimas, California, United States | King Aviation | Minor injuries | - |