# NTSB CHI85LA048: Beech D-45 (T-34), N5543, Bedford, IL, November 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 12, 1984, 16:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Bedford, IL
- Coordinates: 39.609989, -90.800422 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6100&lon=-90.8004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12956
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12956/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA048

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - bent
- Forced landing, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING FLT, HE PROCEEDED TO FLY ALONG A RIVER. AFTER A TIME, HE REVERSED COURSE & BEGAN FLYING ALONG THE RIVER IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. HE SAID THAT THE FLT BACK WAS AT A LOWER ALT & THAT THE PROPELLER CONTACTED SOMETHING IN THE WATER. A SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF THRUST OCCURRED. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING IN A BEAN FIELD, BUT DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT CONTACTED A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5543 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Beech D-45 (T-34) (D-45 (T-34)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BG405
- Airframe hours: 7410
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-13 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis P. Dodd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 30, 1984, 10 hours before
- Departed: PPQ, PITTSFIELD, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,534 total, 419 in this make and model, 1,443 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: UIN, 30 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 19841112061469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841112061469A), Nov 12, 1984: Beech T34A, Bedford, IL, Destroyed. Low flight over river, propeller strike, subsequent power loss. Landed in bean field, hit drainage ditch.

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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