# NTSB ATL82DA127: Beech 35-B33, N969H, Herndon, VA, May 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1982, 12:21 local (16:21 UTC)
- Place: Herndon, VA
- Location: 38.9704° N, 77.3871° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Herndon, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9704&lon=-77.3871&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71019
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71019/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA127

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system,oil pressure pump - worn (contributing factor)
  - lubricating system,oil pressure pump - fatigue (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil pressure pump - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

FOLLOWING AN ENGINE FAILURE, THE PILOT HAD A LIMITED CHOICE OF TERRAIN FOR LANDING. HE LANDED HARD AND SLID INTO TREES. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE SHAFT ON THE ENGINE OIL PUMP DRIVE GEAR, PN 538609, HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. EVIDENCE OF HEAVY WEAR OF THE SHAFT WAS FOUND WHICH COINCIDED WITH A FOREIGN METALLIC SMEAR (ALUMINUM) ON THE SURFACE OF THE OIL REVEALED NO CONTAMINATION. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE LOG REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE HAD RECEIVED MAJOR REPAIR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, ONCE FOR A BROKEN PISTON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N969H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N969H-1983-06-25), registration cancelled 1983-06-25, S/N CD-485 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35-B33
- Registry model: [Beech 35-B33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-b33) (registry code 1151406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CD 485
- Airframe hours: 1991
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-K 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Butler, Clifford Guy, Jr.
- Registered owner: Butler, Clifford Guy, Jr.
- Departed: GAI, GAITHERSBURG, MD
- Destination: GAI, GAITHERSBURG, MD
- Airport: IAD, Dulles Inter'L. Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 151 total, 39 in this make and model, 106 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 167 °F

## 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 19820509014209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820509014209A), May 9, 1982: Beech 3533, Herndon, VA, No damage. Lost oil pressure. Declared emergency.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.