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NTSB Report
July 4, 1987 · Beech S35 · N9011S
Pontiac, MI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Pontiac, MI
Aircraft
Beech S35
Tail Number
N9011S
Operator
Gary L Smith
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI87DEC04
ACFT WAS MAKING A LOW PASS ABOUT 200 FT AGL OVER RWY 27L TO ALLOW ATCT PERSONNEL TO INSPECT LANDING GEAR POSITION AFTER REPORTING LANDING GEAR DIFFICULTIES. AFTER TWR PERSONNEL INFORMED THE PLT THAT THE GEAR APPEARED TO BE DOWN, THE PLT REQUESTED TO LAND ON RWY 09L. AS THE ACFT PASSED ABEAM OF THE ATCT, WITNESSES SAID THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE ACFT THEN MADE A SHARP TURN TO THE RIGHT, TOWARD RWY 09L, APPEARED TO STALL, AND DESCENDED TO THE GROUND. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINEDID NOT REVEAL ANY MALFUNCTIONS. APPROX 2,200 FEET OF RWY 27L REMAINING, IF PILOT HAD ELECTED TO LAND STRAIGHT-AHEAD AFTER POWER LOSS. EIGHT GALLONS FUEL REMAINING IN LEFT WING; RIGHT WING FUEL TANK DAMAGED AND LEAKING POST-CRASH. FUEL SELECTOR ON LEFT MAIN TANK.
Full Narrative
ACFT WAS MAKING A LOW PASS ABOUT 200 FT AGL OVER RWY 27L TO ALLOW ATCT PERSONNEL TO INSPECT LANDING GEAR POSITION AFTER REPORTING LANDING GEAR DIFFICULTIES. AFTER TWR PERSONNEL INFORMED THE PLT THAT THE GEAR APPEARED TO BE DOWN, THE PLT REQUESTED TO LAND ON RWY 09L. AS THE ACFT PASSED ABEAM OF THE ATCT, WITNESSES SAID THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE ACFT THEN MADE A SHARP TURN TO THE RIGHT, TOWARD RWY 09L, APPEARED TO STALL, AND DESCENDED TO THE GROUND. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINEDID NOT REVEAL ANY MALFUNCTIONS. APPROX 2,200 FEET OF RWY 27L REMAINING, IF PILOT HAD ELECTED TO LAND STRAIGHT-AHEAD AFTER POWER LOSS. EIGHT GALLONS FUEL REMAINING IN LEFT WING; RIGHT WING FUEL TANK DAMAGED AND LEAKING POST-CRASH. FUEL SELECTOR ON LEFT MAIN TANK.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:03 EDT
Nearest AirportOakland/Pontiac Airport (0nm N)
Runway9L
Runway Length3250 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech S35
Tail NumberN9011S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGary L Smith
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-B · Reciprocating · 285
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 4 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:03
Weather SourceWFAC