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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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August 15, 1986 · Beech 35R · N3371V

Sun City West, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 15, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Sun City West, AZ
Aircraft
Beech 35R
Tail Number
N3371V
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA323

A BEECHCRAFT BE-35R LOST ALT DURING INITIAL CLIMB AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE PLT DESCRIBED THE TAKEOFF AS NORMAL UNTIL HE REACHED AN ALT OF 100 TO 125 FT AGL AND STARTED TO TURN LEFT. THE PLT STATED, 'THE AIRCRAFT ACTED LIKE IT LOST ALL ITS LIFT.' INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS NO WEIGHT AND BALANCE RECORDS ONBOARD THE ACFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT WAS USING PERFORMANCE DATA FROM A 'C' MODEL BONANZA FLIGHT MANUAL. THE 'C' MODEL BONANZA IS EQUIPPED WITH A CONTINENTAL E-185-1 ENGINE THAT PRODUCES 205 HORSEPOWER WHERE AS THE CONTINENTAL E-185-1 INSTALLED IN THE ACFT ONLY PRODUCES 185 HORSEPOWER. THE PLT COMPUTED THE GROSS WEIGHT FOR TAKEOFF AS 2,683.4 LBS, 33 LBS OVER THE MAX GWT FOR THE ACFT. THE TEMP WAS REPORTED TO BE 106 DEGREES F AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE DENSITY ALT FOR THE 1,313 FOOT ELEVATION WAS COMPUTED AT 4,400 FT.

Full Narrative

A BEECHCRAFT BE-35R LOST ALT DURING INITIAL CLIMB AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE PLT DESCRIBED THE TAKEOFF AS NORMAL UNTIL HE REACHED AN ALT OF 100 TO 125 FT AGL AND STARTED TO TURN LEFT. THE PLT STATED, 'THE AIRCRAFT ACTED LIKE IT LOST ALL ITS LIFT.' INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS NO WEIGHT AND BALANCE RECORDS ONBOARD THE ACFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT WAS USING PERFORMANCE DATA FROM A 'C' MODEL BONANZA FLIGHT MANUAL. THE 'C' MODEL BONANZA IS EQUIPPED WITH A CONTINENTAL E-185-1 ENGINE THAT PRODUCES 205 HORSEPOWER WHERE AS THE CONTINENTAL E-185-1 INSTALLED IN THE ACFT ONLY PRODUCES 185 HORSEPOWER. THE PLT COMPUTED THE GROSS WEIGHT FOR TAKEOFF AS 2,683.4 LBS, 33 LBS OVER THE MAX GWT FOR THE ACFT. THE TEMP WAS REPORTED TO BE 106 DEGREES F AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE DENSITY ALT FOR THE 1,313 FOOT ELEVATION WAS COMPUTED AT 4,400 FT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:50 MST
Nearest AirportHART (0nm N)
Runway25
Runway Length2600 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 35R
Tail NumberN3371V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · E185-1 · Reciprocating · 185
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 32 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 5 kt
Visibility45 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point11 C / 57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data