# NTSB CEN12LA252: Beech P35, N8518M, Englewood, CO, April 22, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 21, 2012, 18:10 local (Apr 22, 2012, 00:10 UTC) - Place: Englewood, CO - Coordinates: 39.569999, -104.849166 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5700&lon=-104.8492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Denver FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83450 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA252 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83450/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83450 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA252 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff after the airplane failed to gain adequate airspeed. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech P35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1151530), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech P35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=1151530), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Beech P35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=1151530), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech P35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=1151530), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech P35, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151530), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he focused "solely on the airspeed" indicator during takeoff and that the airplane was slow to gain airspeed. He observed the airspeed needle enter the white band and then the bottom of the green band by the end of the runway. The airplane became airborne but did not gain altitude. The pilot saw the perimeter fence, increased the pitch of the airplane, and then heard the stall warning sound. The airplane hit the fence and then impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On April 21, 2012, about 1810 mountain daylight time, a Beech P35, N8518M, sustained substantial damage when it hit an airport perimeter fence and impacted the terrain during takeoff from runway 10 at the Centennial Airport (APA), Englewood, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was departing APA and was en route to the Front Range Airport, (FTG), Denver, Colorado. The pilot reported that he performed the standard run-up procedures prior to departure. He cycled the propeller as required and placed it in the full forward position before departing from runway 10 (4,800 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). He reported that he focused "solely on the airspeed" indicator during takeoff, and that the airplane was slow to gain airspeed. He observed the airspeed needle enter the white band, and then the bottom of the green band by the end of the runway. He stated that the airplane became airborne, but was not gaining altitude. He saw the perimeter fence and increased the pitch of the airplane, and then he heard the stall warning sound. The airplane hit the fence and then impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The engine mounts were broken and the engine partially separated from the airframe. The Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector examined the airplane's fuel system and found no anomalies. The propeller control was found about 1.5 inches from the full forward position at the accident site. The propeller control had full travel and the locking feature worked properly. No anomalies were noted during the examination of the airplane. The examination of the engine revealed that the magnetos produced spark on all leads. The spark plugs exhibited normal wear and color. A compression test was performed with the following results: No. 1 - 66/80 psi; No. 2 – 62/80 psi; No. 3 – 65/88 psi; No. 4 – 69/88 psi; No. 4 – 69/88 psi; No. 5 – 74/88 psi; and No. 6 – 70/88 psi. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8518M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8518M-2012-06-18), registration cancelled 2012-06-18, S/N D-7188, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH P35 - Registry model: [Beech P35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-p35) (registry code 1151530) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-7188 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 3870 - Engines: Continental Motors I0-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Philippe F Camus - Registered owner: William L Bredar - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 2011 - Departed: APA, Englewood, CO - Destination: APA, Englewood, CO - Airport: APA, Centenial Airport, runway 10, 4,800 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 265 total, 44 in this make and model, 265 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: APA ## 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 20120421006099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120421006099A), Apr 21, 2012: Beech P35, Englewood, CO, Substantial damage. On April 21, 2012 at approximately 1815 MDT, N8518M, a Beechcraft bonanza model P-35 aircraft was substantially damaged during an attempted takeoff from… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 16, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83450. 8.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413341&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview (item 2, .PDF, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413342&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – View of airplane on the road (item 3, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413343&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20airplane%20on%20the%20road%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – View of engine controls (item 4, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413344&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20engine%20controls%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo 3 – View of propeller control (item 5, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413345&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20propeller%20control%0D%0A-Master.PDF 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.