# NTSB ANC88FA037: Beech B35, N5115C, Nome, AK, March 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1988, 23:47 local (Mar 10, 1988, 03:47 UTC)
- Place: Nome, AK
- Coordinates: 64.710372, -164.620025 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7104&lon=-164.6200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4946
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88FA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4946/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88FA037

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - stabilizer - fatigue (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stabilizer - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,recordkeeping - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED AN IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP DURING THE ENROUTE PHASE OF THE FLIGHT. THE LEFT FITTING THAT SECURES THE FRONT SPARS OF THE STABILIZERS TO THE FUSELAGE REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF PRE-EXISTING FATIGUE CRACKING. THE INITIAL SEPARATION OF THE LEFT STABILIZER WAS INDICATIVE OF AN UPWARD FAILURE, WITH THE INITIAL SEPARATION IN THE FRONT SPAR. THE PILOT WAS A CERTIFIED A&P MECHANIC. NO PILOT OR AIRCRAFT LOGS WERE RECOVERED. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND INDICATING MAINTENANCE BEING PERFORMED BY PERSONS OTHER THAN THE PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5115C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5115C-1989-02-06), registration cancelled 1989-02-06, S/N D2399 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B35
- Registry model: [Beech B35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b35) (registry code 1151506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D2399
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-8 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Reginald Spencer Bickford, doing business as Belmont Cab Co.
- Registered owner: Reginald Specer Bickford
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MCG, MCGRATH, AK
- Destination: OME, NOME, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,600 total, 100 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 20° at 20 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880309004979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880309004979A), Mar 9, 1988: Beech 35BEECH, Nome, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into area of moderate to severe turbulence. Empennage failed due to fatigue cracks and stress. Airframe failed

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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