# NTSB ATL84MA101: Beech V35B, N9353Q, Charlottesville, VA, February 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1984, 10:21 local (15:21 UTC)
- Place: Charlottesville, VA
- Coordinates: 38.029167, -78.479804 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0292&lon=-78.4798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6565
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84MA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6565/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84MA101

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(other organic problem), pilot in command
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent
  - remedial action - initiated, pilot in command
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - overload
  - wing - separation
  - stabilizer - overload
  - stabilizer - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE PROCEEDING ON AN IFR FLT PLAN, THE PLT REQUESTED HE BE ASSIGNED AN ALT BELOW 8000 FT DUE TO 'A PASSENGER WITH AN EAR PROBLEM.' OTHERWISE, THE EN ROUTE PORTION OF THE FLT PROCEEDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. DURING ARRIVAL, THE PLT WAS CLEARED FOR AN ILS APCH TO RWY 3. HIS LAST TRANSMISSION WAS MADE AT 1019:45 EST WHEN HE REPORTED INBOUND ON THE AZALEA NDB, WHICH WAS 7.8 MI FROM THE RWY ON THE ILS LOCALIZER. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE ACFT CRASHED 1.5 MI NW OF THE NBD. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PLT HAD A HEAD COLD, 2 DAYS EARLIER, & HAD TAKEN MEDICATION, BUT A TOX CHECK (LIVER SAMPLE) SHOWED ONLY 1.8 MG/KG OF CHLORPHENIRAMINE. RADAR DATA SHOWED THAT WHEN THE ACFT WAS NEAR THE NDB, IT MADE SHARP L & R TURNS & HAD DESCENDED FROM 3000 TO 2300 FT BEFORE RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. THE R WING HAD SEPARATED & WAS FOUND 360 FT FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. AN EXAM OF THE V-TAIL SHOWED DEFORMATION OF THE L STAB & UPWARD DEFORMATION OF THE R STAB. NO PRE-ACCIDENT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND. CG ESTIMATED 2.1 INCHES BEHIND AFT LIMIT. PLT DEMO, NO USEFUL VISION, L EYE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9353Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9353Q-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N D-9305, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35B
- Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: V-35B
- Airframe hours: 2193
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bernard A. Lafferty
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 7, 1983, 9 hours before
- Departed: HFD, HARTFORD, CT
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CHO, Charlottesville Albemarle, runway 3, 6,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,640 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHO, 9 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 19840217057259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840217057259A), Feb 17, 1984: Beech V35B, Charlottesville, VA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Indicates loss of control on approach. Possible vertigo. Exceeded design load limits. Lost a wing in flight.

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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