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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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June 5, 1983 · Beech 35 · N3939N

Auburn, OH

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 5, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Auburn, OH
Aircraft
Beech 35
Tail Number
N3939N
Operator
James J Rataiczak
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI83FA239

THE ACFT APPROACHED THE 1800 FT GRASS STRIP FROM THE WEST. LOCAL RESIDENTS REPORTED THE WIND AS FROM THE WSE AT 28-30 MPH. THERE WAS NO WIND SOCK AT THE LANDING STRIP. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE ACFT TRAVELED 3/4 OF THE RWY WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GROUND. AT THIS POINT A GO-AROUND WAS INITIATED AND A TURN STARTED TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS. TREES AND WIRES WERE NARROWLY MISSED AND THEN WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT GO INTO A NEARLY VERTICAL CLIMB ATTITUDE BEFORE FALLING OFF ON THE LEFT WING AND CRASHING INTO TREES. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE GROUND IN AN ALMOST VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED AND THE WING FLAPS WERE AT 25 DEGREES WHEN THE ACFT WAS EXAMINED AFTER THE CRASH.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT APPROACHED THE 1800 FT GRASS STRIP FROM THE WEST. LOCAL RESIDENTS REPORTED THE WIND AS FROM THE WSE AT 28-30 MPH. THERE WAS NO WIND SOCK AT THE LANDING STRIP. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE ACFT TRAVELED 3/4 OF THE RWY WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GROUND. AT THIS POINT A GO-AROUND WAS INITIATED AND A TURN STARTED TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS. TREES AND WIRES WERE NARROWLY MISSED AND THEN WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT GO INTO A NEARLY VERTICAL CLIMB ATTITUDE BEFORE FALLING OFF ON THE LEFT WING AND CRASHING INTO TREES. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE GROUND IN AN ALMOST VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED AND THE WING FLAPS WERE AT 25 DEGREES WHEN THE ACFT WAS EXAMINED AFTER THE CRASH.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:21 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway27
Runway Length1800 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 35
Tail NumberN3939N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJames J Rataiczak
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · E-225 · Reciprocating · 205
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 28 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time11:21

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Appendix: Source Data