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NTSB Report
April 4, 1982 · Beech B35 · N8854A
Louisville, KY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 4, 1982
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (3 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Louisville, KY
Aircraft
Beech B35
Tail Number
N8854A
Operator
Gruhl
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL82FA089
THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ON APPROACH DURING AN ATTEMPTED EMERGENCY LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT HAD JUST DEPARTED AND WAS RETURNINGBECAUSE OF SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. THE SMOKE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND ARCING OF WIRING IN THE SYSTEM. THE LOOSE WIRING AND WORN INSULATION WERE THE RESULT OF YEARS OF NEGLECT IN MAINTENANCE. THE CREW'S LACK OF PROPER EMERGENCYEVACUATION WAS RESULT OF NO ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES AND POOR JUDGEMENT REACTION. THE RIGHT SEAT PILOT WAS STILL TURNING TO LAND WHEN AIRCRAFT DESCENDED RAPIDLY AND LEFT WING CONTACTED RUNWAY FIRST THEN THE NOSE. ALL LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AS THE AIRCRAFT SPUN AROUND, SLID AND CAUGHT FIRE AS IT STOPPED SLIDING.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ON APPROACH DURING AN ATTEMPTED EMERGENCY LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT HAD JUST DEPARTED AND WAS RETURNINGBECAUSE OF SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. THE SMOKE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND ARCING OF WIRING IN THE SYSTEM. THE LOOSE WIRING AND WORN INSULATION WERE THE RESULT OF YEARS OF NEGLECT IN MAINTENANCE. THE CREW'S LACK OF PROPER EMERGENCYEVACUATION WAS RESULT OF NO ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES AND POOR JUDGEMENT REACTION. THE RIGHT SEAT PILOT WAS STILL TURNING TO LAND WHEN AIRCRAFT DESCENDED RAPIDLY AND LEFT WING CONTACTED RUNWAY FIRST THEN THE NOSE. ALL LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AS THE AIRCRAFT SPUN AROUND, SLID AND CAUGHT FIRE AS IT STOPPED SLIDING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:26 CST
Nearest AirportBowman Field (0nm N)
Runway6
Runway Length4312 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireBoth
Aircraft ExplosionBoth
Aircraft
AircraftBeech B35
Tail NumberN8854A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGruhl
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · E-225-8 · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (3 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal3
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time08:34