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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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May 8, 1987 · Beech V35-B · N1861W

Terrell, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 8, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Terrell, TX
Aircraft
Beech V35-B
Tail Number
N1861W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW87FA116

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE AIRCRAFT THE STARTER SOLENOID WIRING CAUGHT FIRE. THE HEAT FROM THE FIRE CAUSED AN OVERSTRESSED BRAKE LINE TO FALL, ALLOWING BRAKE FLUID TO DRAIN ONTO THE LIP OF THE NOSE GEAR DOOR. THE FIRE THEN BURNED THROUGH THE FLOOR OF THE COCKPIT DESTROYING THE AIRCRAFT.

Full Narrative

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE AIRCRAFT THE STARTER SOLENOID WIRING CAUGHT FIRE. THE HEAT FROM THE FIRE CAUSED AN OVERSTRESSED BRAKE LINE TO FALL, ALLOWING BRAKE FLUID TO DRAIN ONTO THE LIP OF THE NOSE GEAR DOOR. THE FIRE THEN BURNED THROUGH THE FLOOR OF THE COCKPIT DESTROYING THE AIRCRAFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:00 CDT
Nearest AirportTerrell Mun. (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech V35-B
Tail NumberN1861W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-BA · Reciprocating · 285
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data