# NTSB ATL87FA135: Beech 35, N2988V, Avon, OH, May 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1987, 21:30 local (May 10, 1987, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Avon, OH
- Coordinates: 41.450691, -82.019409 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4507&lon=-82.0194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7294
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7294/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA135

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - light condition - night
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT WAS SEEN HEADING EAST ON A DOWNWIND FOR THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP WHERE IT WAS BASED. IT WAS TURNED ONTO THE BASE LEG AND AS A TURN WAS BEGUN FOR THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE FOR RWY 27 IT STALLED, SPUN, AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. THE ACFT WRECKAGE WAS FOUND EAST OF THE RWY APPROACH THRESHOLD AND  ABOUT 300 FEET TO THE RIGHT OF THE EXTENDED CENTERLINE OF RWY 27. WEST HALF OF THE RWY EDGE LIGHTS WERE OUT OF SERVICE WHICH MAY HAVE REDUCED THE RWY LINE UP CUES FOR THE PIC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2988V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2988V-1988-03-16), registration cancelled 1988-03-16, S/N D385 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Registry model: [Beech 35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35) (registry code 1151502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-385
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E185 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald L. Tohms
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 1986
- Airport: Avon Botsworth, runway 27, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 827 total, 396 in this make and model, 775 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 220° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLE, 10 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 19870509014579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870509014579A), May 9, 1987: Beech 35BEECH, Avon, OH, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Inflight loss of control during turn on to final approach. Crashed short of runway. Night precluded ground reference

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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