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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

December 26, 1993 · Beech 35 · N3331V

Crystal Beach, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 26, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Crystal Beach, TX
Aircraft
Beech 35
Tail Number
N3331V
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW94LA056

THE PASSENGER DOOR INADVERTENTLY OPENED DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB. THE PILOT INITIATED THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND REMAINED IN THE AIRPORT PATTERN FOR A LANDING. THE PILOT SAID THAT A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND DURING THE FINAL APPROACH. THE AIRPLANE LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY IN WET TERRAIN AND DURING THE GROUND ROLL HIT A FENCE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY ANOMALIES THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO A POWER LOSS. THE PILOT REPORTED A TEMPERATURE DEWPOINT SPREAD OF 3 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.

NTSB Probable Cause

WAS A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE A PASSENGER DOOR INADVERTENTLY OPENING IN FLIGHT DUE TO INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING, AND CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS.

Full Narrative

On December 26, 1993, approximately 1230 central standard time a Beech BE35, N3331V, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Crystal Beach, Texas. The private pilot and the three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight. A witness stated to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors that the airplane had departed the private grass airstrip to the south. The witness said that he observed the airplane climbing approximately 800 feet above the ground and then enter the pattern for an approach to the runway. On site examination by the inspectors revealed the airplane landed short of the runway, hit a fence, and came to rest nose down. Examination of the airplane by the inspectors (enclosed statement) indicated damage to the propeller, gear, fuselage, and wing structures. The pilot reported that he "felt like he did not have full power and RPM" during the climb. About 200 feet above the ground, the door inadvertently opened and the pilot decided to return for landing and secure the door. During final approach approximately 300 feet above the ground, the pilot reported a total loss of engine power to the passengers. The pilot reported that he could "only assume the cause of the power loss can be attributed to carburetor ice." The pilot reported a temperature dewpoint spread of 3 degrees Fahrenheit. The Federal Aviation Administration carburetor icing probability chart (copy enclosed) indicates serious icing at glide power. During a telephone interview conducted by the investigator in charge, the pilot said that he had "throttled back during the approach and at 300 feet above the ground as he increased the throttle there was no power increase." He described the engine "as sputtering and coughing." He said the propeller was "turning slightly." A representative of the manufacturer (report enclosed) examined the engine. No anomalies that would have contributed to the power loss were reported. .

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 CST
Nearest AirportCrystal Beach (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length2200 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 35
Tail NumberN3331V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · E-185-11 · Reciprocating · 185
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data