# NTSB ATL82FA089: Beech B35, N8854A, Louisville, KY, April 4, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1982, 08:26 local (13:26 UTC)
- Place: Louisville, KY
- Coordinates: 38.219924, -85.680488 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2199&lon=-85.6805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71494
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71494/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA089

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - electrical system,electric wiring - shorted (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - smoke (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - electrical system,circuit breaker - popped/tripped (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(other toxic), pilot in command (cause)
  - flight manuals - inadequate, company/operator management (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8854A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8854A-1982-09-29), registration cancelled 1982-09-29, S/N D-2509 (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: D-2509
- Airframe hours: 6279
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Gruhl Corporation
- Registered owner: Gruhl Corporation
- Departed: LOU, LOUISVILLE, KY
- Destination: DAYTON, OH
- Airport: LOU, Bowman Field, runway 6, 4,312 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 100 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOU

## 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 19820404007649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820404007649A), Apr 4, 1982: Beech B35, Louisville, KY, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Smoke in cockpit from shorted wiring. Crash landed on adjacent runway. Wiring reported old and in need of replacement

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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