Lanceair 235 N25EH

Summary

On 26 September 1992 at about 20:03 local time, a Lanceair 235 registered N25EH, operated by Earl R. Heldt, was involved in an accident near Hollister, California, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 September 1992 at 20:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Hollister, California, United States

Nearest airport

Hollister Municipal (3O7)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Lanceair 235

Registration

N25EH

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Earl R. Heldt

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX92LA404

1 person died.

THE PILOT PERFORMING THE FINAL SEGMENT OF A VISUAL APPROACH AT TOO LOW OF AN ALTITUDE RESULTING IN AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH A GUY WIRE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE AIRPLANE WAS MAKING A LANDING APPROACH LESS THAN A MILE FROM THE AIRPORT WHEN IT STRUCK A GUY WIRE AT A HEIGHT OF ABOUT 30 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE WENT INTO AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT UNTIL IT STRUCK THE GROUND. THE WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE RUNNING AT A 'HIGH SPEED' AFTER THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE WIRE. THE AIRPLANE WAS EXAMINED ON-SCENE BY AN FAA AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR. HE ATTRIBUTED ALL NOTED DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE TO IMPACT FORCES SUSTAINED DURING THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE AND REPORTED NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.