# NTSB CHI85FA314: Beech J35, N687B, Eden Prairie, MN, July 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1985, 22:40 local (Jul 26, 1985, 03:40 UTC)
- Place: Eden Prairie, MN
- Coordinates: 44.859237, -93.429191 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8592&lon=-93.4292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA314
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12856/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA314

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,oil - siphoning (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - dirty(foggy) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT'S WINDSCREEN BECAME COVERED WITH OIL SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT RETURNED TO THE ARPT ATTEMPTING TO SET UP A PATTERN FOR LANDING. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED IN A DESCENT AND TURN TO FINAL APCH. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A DESCENDING LEFT TURN. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT NIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N687B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N687B-2014-11-13), registration cancelled 2014-11-13, S/N D-5450, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH J35
- Registry model: [Beech J35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-j35) (registry code 1151522) (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 5450
- Airframe hours: 2555
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John N. Renaker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1984, 31 hours before
- Airport: FCM, Flying Cloud

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,486 total, 177 in this make and model, 1,205 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 12 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 19850725033709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850725033709A), Jul 25, 1985: Beech J35, Eden Prairie, MN, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Impacted in a steep bank turning towards runway with oil covered windshild. Oil cap not on, no malfunction found.

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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