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NTSB Report
January 11, 1985 · Beech A36TC · N3872D
Boca Raton, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 11, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Boca Raton, FL
Aircraft
Beech A36TC
Tail Number
N3872D
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA85FA077
THE ACFT CRASHED IN A STEEP UNCONTROLLED DESCENT SHORTLY AFTER THE ENG LOST POWER DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS SEEN DEPARTING ON RWY 4 AFTER WHICH IT CLIMBED TO 200 FT AGL (APRX). THE ENG WAS HEARD SPUTTERING BUT STILL RUNNING. THE ACFT ENTERED A 90 DEGREE BANK TO THE LEFT & STARTED TO DESCEND. NO FURTHER ENG SOUNDS WERE HEARD DURING THE BANKING MANEUVER. THE ACFT DESCENDED BEHIND TREES AND A LOUD CRASH WAS FOLLOWED BY BILLOWING SMOKE. THE PLT WAS PRONOUNCED, BY FLORIDA DIST 15 MEDICAL EXAMINER, TO HAVE DIED OF A IMPACT FORCES. NO MECHANICAL REASONS FOR THE ENG SPUTTERING COULD BE FOUND ROTATION AT IMPACT. THE COCKPIT INSTRUMENTATION AND ENG CONTROLS WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE TO PRECLUDE THEIR USE IN DETERMINATION OF CAUSE.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT CRASHED IN A STEEP UNCONTROLLED DESCENT SHORTLY AFTER THE ENG LOST POWER DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS SEEN DEPARTING ON RWY 4 AFTER WHICH IT CLIMBED TO 200 FT AGL (APRX). THE ENG WAS HEARD SPUTTERING BUT STILL RUNNING. THE ACFT ENTERED A 90 DEGREE BANK TO THE LEFT & STARTED TO DESCEND. NO FURTHER ENG SOUNDS WERE HEARD DURING THE BANKING MANEUVER. THE ACFT DESCENDED BEHIND TREES AND A LOUD CRASH WAS FOLLOWED BY BILLOWING SMOKE. THE PLT WAS PRONOUNCED, BY FLORIDA DIST 15 MEDICAL EXAMINER, TO HAVE DIED OF A IMPACT FORCES. NO MECHANICAL REASONS FOR THE ENG SPUTTERING COULD BE FOUND ROTATION AT IMPACT. THE COCKPIT INSTRUMENTATION AND ENG CONTROLS WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE TO PRECLUDE THEIR USE IN DETERMINATION OF CAUSE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:37 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftBeech A36TC
Tail NumberN3872D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind180° @ 3 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:47
Weather SourceWFAC