# NTSB CHI83LA376: Beech S35, N5732K, Austin, MN, August 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1983, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Austin, MN
- Coordinates: 43.670814, -92.970634 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6708&lon=-92.9706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12305
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA376
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12305/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA376

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - door - unlocked (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - runway light (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STARTED TO TAKEOFF ON RWY 35 WITH A WIND FROM 300 DEG AT 19, GUSTING 25 KTS. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE RIGHT DOOR POPPED OPEN & THE ACFT VEERED TO THE LEFT. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT INTENDED TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF (TO CIRCLE, LAND & FIX THE DOOR). HOWEVER, AS HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO 'STRAIGHTEN OUT FOR TAKEOFF,' THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR STRUCK A RWY LIGHT & COLLAPSED. THE ACFT THEN SLID ACROSS THE RWY & STOPPED APRX 25 YARDS OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY. REPORTEDLY, THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE DOOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5732K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5732K), registered now, S/N D-7518, 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: D7518
- Airframe hours: 2800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roc. Rap. Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
- Airport: AUM, Austin, runway 35, 3,800 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 296 total, 86 in this make and model, 218 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 19 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Observed at: RST, 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 19830810040919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830810040919A), Aug 10, 1983: Beech S35, Austin, MN, Substantial damage. During takeoff roll door popped open and pilot lost directional control allowing aircraft to hit runway lights.

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.