# NTSB ATL82DA191: Beech V35, N7969M, Huntington, WV, July 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1982, 21:36 local (Jul 6, 1982, 01:36 UTC)
- Place: Huntington, WV
- Location: 38.3685° N, 82.5604° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TRI-STATE/MILTON J FERGUSON FLD (HTS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3685&lon=-82.5604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71119
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71119/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA191

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system,electric wiring - disconnected (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,alternator - inoperative
  - electrical system,battery - other
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight compartment light(s) - inoperative
  - landing gear,normal brake system - inoperative
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear extension - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

BEFORE DEPARTING ST LOUIS, MO, ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL UNTIL AN AUXILIARY POWER UNIT WAS USED. THE AIRCRAFT TOOK OFF AT 1746, AND ABOUT ONE HOUR LATER, THE PILOT NOTICED THAT THE AMMETER INDICATED A DISCHARGE. THE FLIGHT WAS CONTINUED. LATER, THERE WAS A TOTAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER AND THE LANDING GEAR WOULD NOT EXTEND USING THE NORMAL SYSTEM. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD LEFT HIS FLASHLIGHT IN HIS CAR. HE WAS UNABLE TO READ THE OPERATING MANUAL OR LOCATE THE EMERGENCY GEAR EXTENSION DEVICE IN THE DARKNESS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A GEAR UP LANDING. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT AN ALTERNATOR FIELD WIRE HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7969M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7969M), registered now, S/N D-8283, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35
- Registry model: [Beech V35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35) (registry code 1151538) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-8283
- Airframe hours: 3880
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen G. Graliker
- Registered owner: Lasco Inc.
- Departed: STL, ST. LOUIS, MO
- Destination: HSO, HOT SPRINGS, VA
- Airport: HTS, Tri/State Walker, runway 12, 6,509 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,500 total, 778 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Temperature: 158 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19820705050109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820705050109A), Jul 5, 1982: Beech V35, Huntington, WV, Substantial damage. Battery went dead due to wire off alternator. Unaware of emergency gear system. Landed gear up.

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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