Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering for landing, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.
NTSB analysis
Witnesses reported that the airplane flew low over the local area golf course before banking to the right to land at the airport. The landing gear and flaps were down during the low pass. The witnesses then observed the airplane bank to the right, depart controlled flight, and dive to the ground in a nose-down attitude. The wreckage was confined to a small area in a grove of trees. Airframe and engine examinations revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08FA152 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 23, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fall River Mills, California
- Nearest airport
- Fall River Mills Airport (O89)
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatal injuries
- 4
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Beech V35B
- N-number
- N1886L
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.