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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 21, 1983 · Beech V35 · N5429U

Conchas, NM

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 21, 1983
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Conchas, NM
Aircraft
Beech V35
Tail Number
N5429U
Operator
Gelder Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW83FA387

IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PLT HAD BEEN GIVING RIDES TO VARIOUS FAMILY MEMBERS & THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING IN THE AREA OF CONCHAS LAKE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT WAS ALSO REPORTED THAT THE ACFT HAD 'BUZZED' BOATS ON THE LAKE SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE DAY. THE ACCIDENT FLT DEPARTED THE ARPT WITH FOUR ADULTS ABOARD; THREE BROTHERS & ONE SISTER. THE ACFT DEPARTED RWY 9 & TRAVELED ABOUT 3/4 MI BEFORE IMPACTING IN THE DESERT IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. EXAMINATION OF THE THROWOVER CONTROL WHEEL & ITS PIVOTING ARM, WHICH HAD SEPARATED, INDICATED IT WAS MOST PROBABLY POSITIONED FOR USE BY THE RIGHT SEAT PASSENGER WHO WAS NOT A CERTIFICATED PLT. THE PLT'S MUSCLE TISSUE ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.113

Full Narrative

IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PLT HAD BEEN GIVING RIDES TO VARIOUS FAMILY MEMBERS & THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING IN THE AREA OF CONCHAS LAKE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT WAS ALSO REPORTED THAT THE ACFT HAD 'BUZZED' BOATS ON THE LAKE SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE DAY. THE ACCIDENT FLT DEPARTED THE ARPT WITH FOUR ADULTS ABOARD; THREE BROTHERS & ONE SISTER. THE ACFT DEPARTED RWY 9 & TRAVELED ABOUT 3/4 MI BEFORE IMPACTING IN THE DESERT IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. EXAMINATION OF THE THROWOVER CONTROL WHEEL & ITS PIVOTING ARM, WHICH HAD SEPARATED, INDICATED IT WAS MOST PROBABLY POSITIONED FOR USE BY THE RIGHT SEAT PASSENGER WHO WAS NOT A CERTIFICATED PLT. THE PLT'S MUSCLE TISSUE ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.113

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:08 MDT
Nearest AirportConchas Dam (1nm E)
Runway9
Runway Length4800 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech V35
Tail NumberN5429U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGelder Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-BA · Reciprocating · 285
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind180° @ 8 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:55
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data