# NTSB CHI02LA051: Beech S35, N7915K, Angola, IN, January 6, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 6, 2002, 17:55 local (22:55 UTC) - Place: Angola, IN - Coordinates: 41.635555, -85.094444 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6356&lon=-85.0944&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 6, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 53999 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53999/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=53999 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA051 ## Probable cause The pilot 's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and encountered a stall on approach to land. The low altitude on final approach was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command - altitude - low (contributing factor) - Fire, other ## Analysis The airplane was destroyed by a post impact fire after it collided with terrain following loss of control while on final approach to land. The pilot reported that he was approximately 500 feet from the runway when the right wing stalled at 130 miles per hour and the aircraft rolled to the right 130 degrees. The pilot stated that he applied full power and rolled the aircraft upright, but it felt like the aircraft was being pushed straight down. He reported that they hit the ground almost flat, bounced, and then slid across the highway before coming to a rest. According to the pilot, he and his two passengers exited the airplane prior to it catching fire. ## Factual narrative On January 6, 2002, at 1755 eastern standard time, a Beech S35, N7915K, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while on final approach to land on runway 05 (4,540 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) at the Tri-State Steuban County Airport (ANQ), Angola, Indiana. The pilot and two passengers on board were not injured. The airplane was destroyed by a post impact fire. The airplane was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. The airplane descended into visual meteorological conditions during the approach; however, the airplane had flown in instrument meteorological conditions on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. The flight originated from Cadillac, Michigan, at 1656 eastern standard time. The pilot reported that he descended through the clouds for the NDB 05 approach into ANQ. The pilot stated that while he was on final approach there was a strong wind from the northwest and he crabbed into the wind as much as 30 degrees. He reported the airplane was approximately 500 feet from the runway when the right wing stalled and the aircraft rolled right 130 degrees. The pilot reported the airplane was flying at 130 miles per hour when the stall was encountered. The pilot stated that he applied full power and rolled the aircraft upright. According to the pilot, it then felt like the aircraft was being pushed straight down and they hit the ground almost flat. The pilot reported that the airplane bounced, slid across U.S. Highway 20, and came to rest. The pilot stated that he and his two passengers exited the airplane prior to it catching fire. According to an eyewitness traveling by car westbound on U.S. Highway 20, he first noticed aircraft lights from the south, traveling in a north-northeast direction. The witness reported that the airplane was flying very low and he observed it skip off the ditch on the south side of the road. He stated that the aircraft skidded across the highway in front of his vehicle, impacting a earthen embankment on the north side. Upon reaching the airplane, the witness noted that the pilot and the two passengers had exited the airplane, which was engulfed in flames. The wind was reported to be 350 degrees at 14 knots at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7915K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7915K-2002-06-14), registration cancelled 2002-06-14, S/N D-7409, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech S35 - Registry model: [Beech S35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (registry code 1151532) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 300599 - Airframe hours: 5883 - Engines: Continental IO-540 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mark A. Thrasher - Registered owner: BGN Partnership - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 2001 - Departed: CAD, Cadillac, MI - Destination: ANQ, Angola, IN - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: ANQ, Tri-State Stuben County, runway 05, 4,540 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,115 total, 175 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 360° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: ANQ ## 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 20020106000699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020106000699A), Jan 6, 2002: Beech S35, Angola, IN, No damage. (.19) On January 6, 2002, at 1756 eastern standard time, a Beech S35, N7915K, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while on final approach to… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 18, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=53999. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 295 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378351&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - ATC Radar Data (item 2, .PDF, 378 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40168993&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=ATC%20Radar%20Data-Master.PDF - Indiana State Police Report (item 3, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378353&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Indiana%20State%20Police%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Radar Plot (item 4, .PDF, 746 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40168995&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Radar%20Plot-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.