# NTSB ATL84FA184: Beech A36, N1836D, Fayette, AL, May 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1984, 18:49 local (23:49 UTC)
- Place: Fayette, AL
- Coordinates: 33.690605, -87.829551 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6906&lon=-87.8296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6281
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6281/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=6281
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA184

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, cruise - normal
  - flight control,elevator tab - deployed inadvertently (cause)
  - remedial action - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical strength overload, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - autopilot/flight director - engaged (cause)
  - elevator trim - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - autopilot - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - throttle/power control - not corrected, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AFTER BEING OBSERVED BY WITNESSES TO PITCH DOWN DURING CRUISE FLT. THIS ACFT & PLT FLEW EARLIER IN THE DAY WITH AN INSTRUCTOR WHO HAD TO RECOVER CONTROL OF THE ACFT AFTER THE PLT ALLOWED IT TO ENTER AN UNCOMMANDED SPIRAL. THE RADIO TRANSCRIPT OF THAT FLT CONTAINED, 'PROBLEMS WITH THE HSI WE, AH, NEED TO COME BACK.' THE PLT HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO GO TO LOUISVILLE BUT THE FLT WAS CANCELED. LATER THE SAME DAY THE PLT/OWNER RETURNED TO THE ARPT, SAID HE HAD READ ABOUT THE HSI SYSTEM AND WANTED TO RESET IT AND FLY. SHORTLY INTO THE FLT THE PLT RADIOED THAT HIS AUTOPLT WAS 'STUCK IT IS TAKING MAIN STRENGTH TO HOLT IT.' HE SAID HE WANTED TO TALK TO SOMEONE WHO KNEW ABOUT THE BONANZA TO 'SEE WHAT HE COULD DO.' IF THE AUTOPLT DISCONNECTS AN AUDIBLE SOUND IS HEARD. NO SUCH SOUND WAS HEARD ON THE TAPES. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE TRIM TABS WERE FOUND IN THE FULL NOSE DOWN POSITION.A PLT WHO HAD FLOWN THIS ACFT THE DAY BEFORE SAID THE AUTOPLT WOULD NOT DISCONNECT USING THE MODE OFF SWITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1836D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1836D-1997-02-18), registration cancelled 1997-02-18, S/N E1912 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E1912
- Airframe hours: 1185
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clark L. Gravlee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 26, 1984, 80 hours before
- Departed: BHM, BIRMINGHAM, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 330 total, 305 in this make and model, 139 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM, 47 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 19840526036499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840526036499A), May 26, 1984: Beech A36, Fayette, AL, Destroyed. Pilot reported autopilot problems, aircraft pitched nose down, struck ground. Elevator jack trim full down position

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 17, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=6281. 15.3 MB in all.

- Full Accident Docket from Microfiche 25964A (item 1, .PDF, 15.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449344&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Full%20Accident%20Docket%20from%20Microfiche%2025964A-Master.PDF

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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