# NTSB Accident LAX97FA177
> **Beech A36TC** · 1997-05-12 · TRUCKEE, CA, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** LAX97FA177
- **Event ID:** 20001208X07942
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 1997-05-12
- **Location:** TRUCKEE, CA, USA
- **Coordinates:** 39.329059, -120.23973
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 5
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 5
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Beech
- **Model:** A36TC
- **Registration:** N6174N
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** DUSK
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain altitude and clearance above the terrain, while turning (for an unknown reason) back toward the airport after takeoff.  Factors relating to the accident were: the environmental conditions (light conditions at dusk and high density altitude) and lack of visual cues, while turning toward darker conditions; and spatial disorientation of the pilot.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=LAX97FA177) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*