# NTSB ATL91LA049: Beech V35B, N74LE, Advance, NC, February 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1991, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Advance, NC
- Coordinates: 35.929279, -80.400405 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9293&lon=-80.4004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8372
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8372/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA049

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF.  A FACTOR WAS THE MALFUNCTIONING MAGNETO WHICH RESULTED IN THE ENGINE SPUTTER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff
  - single engine aircraft
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,partial (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF THERE WAS A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  HE WAS DISTRACTED WHILE TURNING ON THE FUEL BOOST PUMP.  DURING THAT DISTRACTION THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED LEFT & COLLIDED WITH A BERM ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. HE STATED THAT THE ENGINE SURGED & WAS DEVELOPING FULL POWER WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED.  SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED ONE MAGNETO CONDENSER HAD MALFUNCTIONED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INCONSISTENT SPARK & SPUTTERING OF THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74LE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74LE-1991-08-08), registration cancelled 1991-08-08, S/N D9679 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35B
- Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-9679
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Eubanks, James W
- Registered owner: Salem Aviation, Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1990, 34 hours before
- Destination: 35A, UNION, SC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GNC8, Airpark, runway 6, 2,600 × 70 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,816 total, 1,200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSO, 23 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 19910202002439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910202002439A), Feb 2, 1991: Beech V35B, Advance, NC, Substantial damage. Engine sputtered on takeoff. Pilot distracted turning on boost pump,lost control. Defective magneto condenser.

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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