# NTSB BFO90LA027: Beech H35, N7958D, College Park, MD, February 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1990, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: College Park, MD
- Coordinates: 38.990432, -76.930015 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9904&lon=-76.9300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11580
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11580/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA027

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. THE ADVERSE WIND WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Analysis

WHILE ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH WITH 30 DEGREES OF FLAPS AND AN AIRSPEED OF 80 MPH, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES AND DESCENDED TO THE TERRAIN. THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, LOCAL WINDS WERE SHIFTING FROM 290 DEGS TO 330 DEGS AT 20 GUSTING TO 30 KNOTS. THE APCH TO RWY 33 WAS OVER THE TREES & WAS KNOWN TO BE TURBULENT WHEN GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS EXISTED.

## 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 - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7958D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7958D-1991-04-01), registration cancelled 1991-04-01, S/N D5217 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H35
- Registry model: [Beech H35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h35) (registry code 1151520) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-5217
- Airframe hours: 3254
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-G 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles W. Branche
- Registered owner: Charles W Branche
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 1989, 22 hours before
- Airport: College Park, runway 33, 2,740 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 983 total, 734 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °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 19900219002409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900219002409A), Feb 19, 1990: Beech H35, College Park, MD, Substantial damage. Landing in severe gusty surface wind,got a downdraft and descended into trees short of the runway.

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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