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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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December 25, 2002 · Beech F-35 · N4268B

Hollywood, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 25, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Hollywood, FL
Aircraft
Beech F-35
Tail Number
N4268B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL03LA031

According to the pilot, while descending from 3,500 feet at 180 knots indicated airspeed, the airplane began to vibrate. The pilot reduced power and raised the nose of the airplane to slow the airplane down. The pilot continued the descent at 120 MPH. The airplane landed without any further incident. During the post landing inspection of the airplane, the pilot found that the empennage aft of the rear bulkhead had substantial wrinkling near the horizontal stabilizers.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot exceeded the design limits of the airplane which resulted in an in flight structural failure.

Full Narrative

On December 25, 2002, at 1130 eastern standard time, a Beech F-35, Bonanza N4268B, registered to a private individual, experienced an airframe vibration while descending out of 3,500 feet 25 miles west of the Hollywood North Perry Airport in Hollywood, Florida. The air transport pilot slowed the airplane and landed at the Hollywood North Perry Airport without further incident. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot and passenger were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Wings South Airpark, Naples, Florida, at 1045. According to the pilot, while descending from 3,500 feet at 180 knots indicated airspeed for landing at the Hollywood airport the airplane began to vibrate. The pilot reduced power and raised the nose of the airplane to slow the airplane down. The pilot reduced the speed of the airplane to 120 MPH. The airplane landed without any further incident. During the post landing inspection of the airplane, the pilot found that the empennage aft of the rear bulkhead had substantial wrinkling near the horizontal stabilizers. The F35 Pilot's Operating Handbook Limitation Section II, page 2-4, Airspeed Limitations lists the Vc airspeed as 173 MPH. Examination of the airplane revealed no corrosion or unusual cracks in the rear fuselage area. Both sides of the rear fuselage was buckled. The buckling extended from the bottom rear corner of the left side access panel to the right and left side elevator attachment points. The fuselage bottom skin was torn loose from its rivet attachment point. The right side B-stringer, which joins the rear fuselage right side and the right side of the bottom skin, was buckled inward.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 EST
Nearest AirportNorth Perry Hollywood (5nm SSE)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech F-35
Tail NumberN4268B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTeledyne Continental · E-225-8 · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 77 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 59
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time15:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data