# NTSB CHI87FA198: Beech B35, N700T, Martinsville, IN, August 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1987, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Martinsville, IN
- Coordinates: 39.420291, -86.419906 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4203&lon=-86.4199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 17, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13656
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87FA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13656/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA198

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AN ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND SPUN TO THE GROUND WHEN THE PILOT TRIED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED ON THE ALMOST EMPTY AUXILIARY TANK (MEANT FOR USE IN LEVEL FLIGHT ONLY).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N700T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N700T-1992-07-07), registration cancelled 1992-07-07, S/N D5916 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B35
- Registry model: [Beech K35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-k35) (registry code 1151524) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D5916
- Airframe hours: 4283
- Engines: CONTINENTAL I0-470-C1 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Martin G. Swinehart
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1987, 1 hours before
- Departed: 6I9, MARTINSVILLE, IN
- Destination: 213, ROUGH RIVER, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 14,300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °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 19870830048479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870830048479A), Aug 30, 1987: Beech K35, Martinsville, IN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Left bank after takeoff. Engine quit, plane stalled, recovered too late. Impacted level. Fuel selected empty tank.

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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