# NTSB CHI83FA239: Beech 35, N3939N, Auburn, OH, June 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1983, 11:21 local (15:21 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, OH
- Coordinates: 41.429534, -81.380317 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4295&lon=-81.3803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11995
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA239
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11995/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA239

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - tailwind (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - expectancy, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT APPROACHED THE 1800 FT GRASS STRIP FROM THE WEST. LOCAL RESIDENTS REPORTED THE WIND AS FROM THE WSE AT 28-30 MPH. THERE WAS NO WIND SOCK AT THE LANDING STRIP. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE ACFT TRAVELED 3/4 OF THE RWY WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GROUND. AT THIS POINT A GO-AROUND WAS INITIATED AND A TURN STARTED TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS. TREES AND WIRES WERE NARROWLY MISSED AND THEN WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT GO INTO A NEARLY VERTICAL CLIMB ATTITUDE BEFORE FALLING OFF ON THE LEFT WING AND CRASHING INTO TREES. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE GROUND IN AN ALMOST VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED AND THE WING FLAPS WERE AT 25 DEGREES WHEN THE ACFT WAS EXAMINED AFTER THE CRASH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3939N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3939N-1983-11-10), registration cancelled 1983-11-10, S/N D-1196, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Registry model: [Beech 35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35) (registry code 1151502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James J. Rataiczak
- Departed: NOVELTY, OH
- Airport: runway 27, 1,800 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 28 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19830605026289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830605026289A), Jun 5, 1983: Beech 35BEECH, Auburn Township, OH, Destroyed. Tried to land downwind on a short grass strip. Began a belated go-around and stalled in a steep turn avoiding trees

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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