# NTSB BFO90FA063: Beech P35, N9726Y, Disputanta, VA, July 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1990, 18:39 local (22:39 UTC)
- Place: Disputanta, VA
- Coordinates: 37.119789, -77.220016 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1198&lon=-77.2200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11551
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90FA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11551/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90FA063

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INDEQUATE INFLIGHT DECISION WHICH RESULTED IN FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITION.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THUNDERSTORMS AND THE PILOT EXCEEDING THE DESIGN LIMITS OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - wing - overload (contributing factor)
  - stabilizer - overload (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS DEVIATING AROUND LEVEL 4 THUNDERSTORMS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.  HE WAS FLYING NORTH AT AN ALTITUDE OF 10,000 FEET WHEN HE RADIOED ATC AND ADVISED THAT HE WAS HAVING A HARD TIME MAINTAINING ALTITUDE.  SHORTLY AFTERWARD, ATC LOST RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WITH THE AIRPLANE.  THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA AND WRECKAGE WAS STREWN OVER A MILE.  THE LEFT WING AND RIGHT STABILATOR SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE.  THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANCIAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9726Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9726Y-1991-04-10), registration cancelled 1991-04-10, S/N D7125 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH P35
- Registry model: [Beech P35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-p35) (registry code 1151530) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D7125
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-N 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: T & T Machine Company
- Registered owner: T & T Machine Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1990
- Departed: NC95, MOUNT HOLY, NC
- Destination: 4G7, FAIRMONT, WV
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 985 total, 945 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 280° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F

## 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 19900712025669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900712025669A), Jul 12, 1990: Beech P35BEECH, Disputanta, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into area of thunderstorms lost control and came apart in air. No weather briefing for return portion of trip.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.