# NTSB BFO92FA135: Beech G35, N4526D, Hillsville, VA, September 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1992, 17:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Hillsville, VA
- Coordinates: 36.760169, -80.730003 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7602&lon=-80.7300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11735
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92FA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11735/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA135

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/SPIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS 1 HOUR 24 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT AT A CRUISE ALTITUDE OF 8000 FEET WHEN HE REPORTED TO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC) THAT HE HAD LOST ENGINE POWER.  HE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12 MILES FROM THE CLOSEST AIRPORT AT A FIELD ELEVATION OF 2693 FEET, AND WAS PROVIDED VECTORS TO THAT AIRPORT. HE RADIOED ATC 3 MINUTES LATER ADVISING THEM THAT HE WAS DESCENDING AT A RATE OF 600-700 FEET PER MINUTE AND WAS UNSURE WHETHER HE COULD MAKE IT TO THE AIRPORT.  ONE MINUTE LATER HE CONTACTED ATC AND ADVISED THAT HE WAS GOING TO TRY TO LAND ON THE HIGHWAY.  THERE WAS NO FURTHER RADIO COMMUNICATION.  A WITNESS REPORTED SEEING THE AIRCRAFT WITHOUT ENGINE POWER DESCENDING TO THE SOUTH IN A STEEP ANGLE. SHE REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT MADE A SUDDEN LEFT TURN AND FELL TO THE GROUND.  THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED 3.5 MILES NORTH OF THE AIRPORT WHERE IT CAME TO REST ON A DIRT ROAD. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4526D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4526D-1995-07-13), registration cancelled 1995-07-13, S/N D4698 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH G35
- Registry model: [Beech G35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-g35) (registry code 1151516) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-4698
- Airframe hours: 4288
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Patrick Johnson
- Registered owner: Patrick Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 27, 1992, 98 hours before
- Departed: RIC, RICHMOND, VA
- Destination: HLX, HILLSVILLE, VA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,010 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROA, 1 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 19920911036419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920911036419A), Sep 11, 1992: Beech G35, Galax/Hillsvill, VA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Report power loss,believed fuel problem. Wreckage indicates stall trying for a road. No engine defects noted.

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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