# NTSB ATL83FA198: Beech V35B, N313ZM, Chesson, AL, May 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1983, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Chesson, AL
- Coordinates: 32.390956, -85.679016 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3910&lon=-85.6790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5917
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5917/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA198

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, cruise - normal
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - supervision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight control,ruddervator - overload (contributing factor)
  - wing,spar - overload (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE THE ACFT WAS ON A X-COUNTRY FLT AT 4000 FT MSL, RADIO & RADAR CONTACT WERE LOST SOON AFTER A TURN WAS INITIATED. WRECKAGE OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND SCATTERED OVER A DISTANCE OF 2193 FT. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE STABILIZERS/RUDDERVATORS, TAIL CONE, RIGHT WING & BOTH TIP TANKS HAD SEPARATED IN FLT. EVIDENCE OF DOWNWARD BENDING WAS FOUND ON BOTH RUDDERVATORS. EVIDENCE OF BOTH UPWARD BENDING & DOWNWARD BENDING WAS FOUND IN THE WINGS. THE INBOARD & OUTBOARD SECTIONS OF THE RIGHT WING HAD SEPARATED AS WELL AS ITS AILERON. THE ACFT GROSS WT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE NEAR ITS MAX LIMIT & THE CG WAS APRX 5.1 INCHES BEHIND ITS AFT LIMIT. THE CONTROL YOKE WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE COCKPIT. THE PLT OF AN AIR FORCE ACFT REPORTED AN OVERCAST SKY CONDITION IN THAT AREA AT 1500 FT. A TEARDOWN OF THE ATTITUDE INDICATOR REVEALED SCRAPE MARKS ON THE GYRO & INSIDE THE CASE NEXT TO THE GYRO. THE AUTOPILOT SWITCH WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N313ZM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-10135
- Airframe hours: 1129
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Dinerman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1982, 140 hours before
- Departed: 49J, HILTON HEAD, SC
- Destination: MGM, MONTGOMERY, AL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 668 total, 58 in this make and model, 611 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGM, 25 nm away

## 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 19830522020409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830522020409A), May 22, 1983: Beech V35B, Chesson, AL, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Airframe failure IFR en route. Thunderstorms in area. Indicates loss of control and high g load. Loaded behind CG.

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.