# NTSB BFO92FA025: Beech V35B, N3738A, Manassas, VA, January 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 26, 1992, 18:39 local (23:39 UTC)
- Place: Manassas, VA
- Location: 38.7230° N, 77.5154° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at Washington Manassas Harry P. Davis Field (HEF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7230&lon=-77.5154&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11716
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92FA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11716/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA025

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REMOVE ICE FROM THE WINGS DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL DURING TAKEOFF DUE TO ICE ON THE WINGS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - wing - ice (cause)
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS PARKED AT THE ARPT 4 DAYS PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.  ACFT PARKED NEARBY WERE SNOW COVERED.  ALTHOUGH THE PREFLIGHT OF THE ACFT OR TAKEOFF WAS NOT WITNESSED, AIRPORT PERSONNEL SAID THE PILOT BORROWED A BROOM TO USE FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES.  15 MINUTES LATER THE ACFT CRASHED. THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND EAST OF RWY 16R IN A LEFT BANK ATTITUDE, ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN THE RWY, WHERE IT TOUCHED DOWN IN SNOW COVERED GRASS.  THE ACFT TRAVELLED 298 FEET ACROSS THE GROUND BEFORE IT STRUCK A SIX-FOOT DEEP DRAINAGE DITCH, LOCATED PARALLEL AND 227 FEET FROM THE RWY, AND ERUPTED ON FIRE.  THE EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.  SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AS PART OF THE INVESTIGATION, SNOW WAS REMOVED FROM ANOTHER AIRCRAFT PARKED NEAR THE ACCIDENT ACFT.  ICE WAS UNDERNEATH THE SNOW AND COULD NOT BE REMOVED.  THE RAMP AREA WHERE THE ACCIDENT ACFT WAS PARKED WAS CHECKED AND AIRFOIL SHAPED ICE WAS FOUND ON THE GROUND WHERE THE TAIL WAS POSITIONED, BUT NONE WHERE THE WING WAS POSITIONED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3738A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3738A-1992-06-25), registration cancelled 1992-06-25, S/N D10355 (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-10355
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rose, Selwyn
- Registered owner: Rose, Selwyn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1991
- Airport: HEF, Manassas Municipal, runway 16, 3,703 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 13 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 19920126000999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920126000999A), Jan 26, 1992: Beech V35B, Manassas, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft sat out in snow and ice storm. Failed to properly remove same. Hit ground after liftoff, the ditch. Burned

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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