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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

June 27, 1987 · Beech A35 · N255B

Santa Rosa, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 27, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Santa Rosa, CA
Aircraft
Beech A35
Tail Number
N255B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA252

THE PLT WAS PARTICIPATING IN A CAFE-400 (COMPARATIVE ACFT FLT EFFICIENCY) CONTEST OVER A 400 MI, ROUND ROBIN COURSE. WHILE DSCNDG FM 7000' AT THE END OF THE FLT, THE PLT SLOWED THE ACFT TO 140 MPH TO OBSERVE TRAFFIC. WHEN CLEAR, HE INCREASED THE SPEED TO 160 MPH & BGN A 500 FPM DSCNT. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, HE DETECTED A VIBRATION THAT INCREASED IN INTENSITY, THEN NOTICED THE SPEED HAD INCREASED TO 188 MPH. THE PLT REDUCED PWR, & AS THE ACFT SLOWED, THE VIBRATION STOPPED. THE ACFT WAS LNDD WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. A POST FLT EXAM REVEALED THE AFT FUSELAGE WAS WRINKLED & BUCKLED IN A 3 FT AREA, JUST FWD OF THE MAIN SPAR BULKHEAD FOR THE V-TAIL. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF FLUTTER WHICH HAD RESULTED IN DYNAMIC OVERLOAD. AN INV REVEALED THE RUDDERVATORS WERE OUT OF BALANCE. THE ACFT WAS BEING OPERATED NR ITS MAX GROSS WT LIMIT WITH AN AFT LOADING, BUT IT WAS WITHIN THE WT & BALANCE LIMITS.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS PARTICIPATING IN A CAFE-400 (COMPARATIVE ACFT FLT EFFICIENCY) CONTEST OVER A 400 MI, ROUND ROBIN COURSE. WHILE DSCNDG FM 7000' AT THE END OF THE FLT, THE PLT SLOWED THE ACFT TO 140 MPH TO OBSERVE TRAFFIC. WHEN CLEAR, HE INCREASED THE SPEED TO 160 MPH & BGN A 500 FPM DSCNT. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, HE DETECTED A VIBRATION THAT INCREASED IN INTENSITY, THEN NOTICED THE SPEED HAD INCREASED TO 188 MPH. THE PLT REDUCED PWR, & AS THE ACFT SLOWED, THE VIBRATION STOPPED. THE ACFT WAS LNDD WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. A POST FLT EXAM REVEALED THE AFT FUSELAGE WAS WRINKLED & BUCKLED IN A 3 FT AREA, JUST FWD OF THE MAIN SPAR BULKHEAD FOR THE V-TAIL. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF FLUTTER WHICH HAD RESULTED IN DYNAMIC OVERLOAD. AN INV REVEALED THE RUDDERVATORS WERE OUT OF BALANCE. THE ACFT WAS BEING OPERATED NR ITS MAX GROSS WT LIMIT WITH AN AFT LOADING, BUT IT WAS WITHIN THE WT & BALANCE LIMITS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 PDT
Nearest AirportSanta Rosa (0nm N)
Runway16
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech A35
Tail NumberN255B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · E-225-B · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data