# NTSB ATL91FA039: Beech 35, N4589V, Arden, NC, January 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1991, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Arden, NC
- Coordinates: 35.459911, -82.580047 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4599&lon=-82.5800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8304
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91FA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8304/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA039

## Probable cause

FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination
  - fuel system,carburetor - incorrect
  - maintenance,overhaul - improper, other maintenance personnel
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND CRASHED. WATER WAS FOUND IN A FUEL LINE (BTN THE FUEL SELECTOR VLV AND ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP), ELECTRIC BOOST PUMP MANIFOLD, AND CARBURETOR (CARB) INLET STRAINER; HOWEVER, THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS DAMAGED DURING IMPACT AND FIRE SUPPRESSANT CHEMICALS WERE SPRAYED ON THE WRECKAGE. A CHECK OF THE CARB SHOWED THAT IT WAS PROVIDING A LEAN MIXTURE AT LOW POWER SETTINGS AND A RICH MIXTURE AT HI POWER SETTINGS. A TEARDOWN OF THE CARB REVEALED A CRYSTALLINE SUBSTANCE ON THE CARB DIAPHRAGM, AN IMPROPER METERING JET, AND THAT 5 SHIMS WERE INSTALLED IN THE CARB REGULATOR DIAPHRAGM SPRING MECHANISM. THE BENDIX OVERHAUL MANUAL ALLOWED A MAXIMUM OF 2 SHIMS. DURING A POST-ACDNT CHECK, THE ENG OPERATED NORMALLY WITH THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP ON, BUT THE ENG STOPPED RUNNING WHEN THE ELECTRIC PUMP WAS TURNED OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4589V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4589V-1992-09-23), registration cancelled 1992-09-23, S/N D1060 (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-1060
- Airframe hours: 7476
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-11-10 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Feeney, R. K. & Chapman, A. T.
- Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 1990, 54 hours before
- Departed: AVL
- Destination: 17A, LAWRENCEVILLE, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AVL, Ashville Regional, runway 34, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,180 total, 1,030 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 16 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 1 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 19910118000759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910118000759A), Jan 18, 1991: Beech 35BEECH, Asheville, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine faltered. Quit on climbout. Hit trees. Water in fuel. Carburetor improper overhauled. Did not use aux pump.

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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