# NTSB BFO89FA060: Beech V35TC, N118FC, Charlottesville, VA, July 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1989, 21:17 local (Jul 18, 1989, 01:17 UTC)
- Place: Charlottesville, VA
- Coordinates: 38.08963, -78.560058 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0896&lon=-78.5601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89FA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11465/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89FA060

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE THROTTLE AND VARIABLE ABSOLUTE CONTROLLER ASSEMBLIES BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL WHICH RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - throttle/power lever,linkage - worn (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - throttle/power lever,linkage - disconnected (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE RECEIVING VFR TRAFFIC ADVISORIES AT 10,500 FT THE PLT REPORTED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA 1/4 MILE NW OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE ARPT WHILE RECEIVING RADAR VECTORS. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL LINKAGE BETWEEN THE THROTTLE AND THE VARIABLE ABSOLUTE CONTROLLER ASSEMBLY DUE TO PROGRESSIVE WEAR. THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE THROTTLE PLATE TO VIBRATE TO THE CLOSED POSITION. FURTHER EXAM REVEALED THAT A WAVE WASHER WAS MISSING IN THE LINKAGE ASSEMBLY. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN OVERHAULED AND THE TURBOCHARGER REPLACED 24 AND 12 MONTHS RESPECTIVELY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N118FC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N118FC-1993-04-08), registration cancelled 1993-04-08, S/N D8075 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35TC
- Registry model: [Beech V35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35) (registry code 1151538) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D8075
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-D 255 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lemco Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1989
- Departed: CLT, CHARLOTTE, NC
- Destination: CXY, HARRISBURG, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,700 total, 1,500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHO

## 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 19890717022549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890717022549A), Jul 17, 1989: Beech V35TC, Charlottesville, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Throttle disconnected and engine went to idle. Crashed in woods short of airport. Assembly was badly worn.

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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