# NTSB ATL85FA043: Beech M35, N9760R, Gainesville, GA, November 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1984, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Gainesville, GA
- Coordinates: 34.28955, -83.830482 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2895&lon=-83.8305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6578
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6578/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA043

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - failure,total (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - loss,total
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - blocked(total)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING WHILE OPERATING IN VFR CONDITIONS ON A DARK NIGHT OVER ISOLATED TERRAIN. THE PLT STATED HE THOUGHT THE ENG EXPLODED & LOST VISUAL CONTACT DUE TO OIL SPRAYING ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE RT FRONT PASSENGER HELD A FLASHLIGHT ON THE ACFT FLT INSTRUMENTS WHILE THE PLT EXECUTED THE FORCED LANDING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ONE BLADE OF THE PROPELLER (MCCAULEY BLADE # K102278YS) FAILED IN FATIQUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9760R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH M35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-6245
- Airframe hours: 3163
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William C.Miller
- Registered owner: John S. Kern
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1984, 54 hours before
- Departed: SAVANNAH, GA
- Destination: CHATTANOOGA, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 350 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL

## 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 19841121067259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841121067259A), Nov 21, 1984: Beech M35, Gainesville, GA, Substantial damage. Inflight propeller blade failure inside the first thread of blade ferrule. Previous repair on propeller.

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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