# NTSB CHI87DEC04: Beech S35, N9011S, Pontiac, MI, July 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1987, 19:03 local (23:03 UTC)
- Place: Pontiac, MI
- Coordinates: 42.770561, -82.52951 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7706&lon=-82.5295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13548
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DEC04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13548/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEC04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, go-around (vfr)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT WAS MAKING A LOW PASS ABOUT 200 FT AGL OVER RWY 27L TO ALLOW ATCT PERSONNEL TO INSPECT LANDING GEAR POSITION AFTER REPORTING LANDING GEAR DIFFICULTIES. AFTER TWR PERSONNEL INFORMED THE PLT THAT THE GEAR APPEARED TO BE DOWN, THE PLT REQUESTED TO LAND ON RWY 09L. AS THE ACFT PASSED ABEAM OF THE ATCT, WITNESSES SAID THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE ACFT THEN MADE A SHARP TURN TO THE RIGHT, TOWARD RWY 09L, APPEARED TO STALL, AND DESCENDED TO THE GROUND. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINEDID NOT REVEAL ANY MALFUNCTIONS. APPROX 2,200 FEET OF RWY 27L REMAINING, IF PILOT HAD ELECTED TO LAND STRAIGHT-AHEAD AFTER POWER LOSS. EIGHT GALLONS FUEL REMAINING IN LEFT WING; RIGHT WING FUEL TANK DAMAGED AND LEAKING POST-CRASH. FUEL SELECTOR ON LEFT MAIN TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9011S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9011S-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N D-7942, built 1965 (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: D7942
- Airframe hours: 1251
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary L Smith
- Registered owner: Smity, Gary L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1986, 55 hours before
- Departed: TVC, TRAVERSE CITY, MI
- Destination: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Airport: PTK, Oakland/Pontiac Airport, runway 9L, 3,250 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,062 total, 140 in this make and model, 958 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTK, 1 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 19870704032059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870704032059A), Jul 4, 1987: Beech S35, Pontiac, MI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. The aircraft stalled and impacted beside the runway. Engine failed for unknown reasons. Pilot attempted steep turn.

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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