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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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December 18, 1984 · Beech V35A · N7460N

Midlothian, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 18, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Midlothian, TX
Aircraft
Beech V35A
Tail Number
N7460N
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW85FA078

N7460N, OPERATING AS MID-AMERICA FLT 401, CRASHED WHILE ON AN IFR FLT PLAN ENROUTE TO CORPUS CHRISTI, TX. AFTER HAVING BEEN VECTORED AROUND A HEAVY THUNDERSTORM & CLEARED DIRECT TO WACO, TX. THE PLT CONTACTED FORT WORTH CENTER & STATED THAT HE HAD 'LOST MY ARTIFICIAL HORIZON & MY DIRCTIONAL GYRO.' AFTER ASKING THE PLT IF THE ACFT HAD A COMPASS & RECEIVING AN AFFIRMATIVE REPLY THE ACFT WAS INSTRUCTED TO TURN TO A 010 HEADING. SHORTLY AFTER, THE RADAR TARGET WAS LOST. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT HAD BEEN EMPLOYED BY MID-AMERICA FOR APROX 3 WKS AS A NIGHT REFUELER. ON THE DATE OF THE ACC THE PLT WAS REPORTEDLY GIVEN A 1.2 HR PART 135 CHECK RIDE BY THE COMPANY ASST CHIEF PLT. THE VACUUM PUMP DRIVE WAS FOUND SHEARED WITH THE SHEARED ENDS POLISHED, INDICATING THAT THE DRAYING END WAS STILL ROTATING AFTER SHAFT SEPARATION. ONE VACUUM DRIVEN GYRO WAS FOUND SHOWING NO EVIDENCE OF ROTATION AT IMPACT. THE GYRO FROM THE ELECTRICALLY POWERED TURN & BANK SHOWED NO SIGNS OF ROTATION AT IMPACT.

Full Narrative

N7460N, OPERATING AS MID-AMERICA FLT 401, CRASHED WHILE ON AN IFR FLT PLAN ENROUTE TO CORPUS CHRISTI, TX. AFTER HAVING BEEN VECTORED AROUND A HEAVY THUNDERSTORM & CLEARED DIRECT TO WACO, TX. THE PLT CONTACTED FORT WORTH CENTER & STATED THAT HE HAD 'LOST MY ARTIFICIAL HORIZON & MY DIRCTIONAL GYRO.' AFTER ASKING THE PLT IF THE ACFT HAD A COMPASS & RECEIVING AN AFFIRMATIVE REPLY THE ACFT WAS INSTRUCTED TO TURN TO A 010 HEADING. SHORTLY AFTER, THE RADAR TARGET WAS LOST. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT HAD BEEN EMPLOYED BY MID-AMERICA FOR APROX 3 WKS AS A NIGHT REFUELER. ON THE DATE OF THE ACC THE PLT WAS REPORTEDLY GIVEN A 1.2 HR PART 135 CHECK RIDE BY THE COMPANY ASST CHIEF PLT. THE VACUUM PUMP DRIVE WAS FOUND SHEARED WITH THE SHEARED ENDS POLISHED, INDICATING THAT THE DRAYING END WAS STILL ROTATING AFTER SHAFT SEPARATION. ONE VACUUM DRIVEN GYRO WAS FOUND SHOWING NO EVIDENCE OF ROTATION AT IMPACT. THE GYRO FROM THE ELECTRICALLY POWERED TURN & BANK SHOWED NO SIGNS OF ROTATION AT IMPACT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:48 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech V35A
Tail NumberN7460N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-BA · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 24 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind110° @ 5 kt
Visibility1 sm
Ceiling300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data