# NTSB CHI89LA158: Beech S35, N7972K, Lindon, MI, August 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1989, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Lindon, MI
- Coordinates: 42.810337, -83.779479 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8103&lon=-83.7795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14394
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14394/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA158

## Probable cause

THE RESTRICTED MOVEMENT OF THE RUDDERVATOR CONTROL DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - roll/run
  - flight control,ruddervator - movement restricted (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - ditch (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overspeed (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE RAN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLAPSED THE NOSE LANDING GEAR WHILE ABORTING A TAKEOFF ROLL. AIRSPEED AT THE TIME OF THE ABORT WAS GREATER THAN 80 KNOTS AND THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRPLANE IN THE RUNWAY REMAINING. THE PILOT STATED DURING A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW THAT HE FELT A RESISTANCE IN THE FLIGHT CONTROLS WHICH INCREASED AS THE AIRSPEED BECAME GREATER. HE DESCRIBED IT AS SOFT RESISTANCE RATHER THEN A MECHANICAL LOCK. THE FAA EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE AT THE ACCIDENT SITE BEFORE IT WAS MOVED. NO MECHANICAL REASON COULD BE FOUND TO EXPLAIN THE PILOTS REPORTED DIFFICULTY WITH THE FLIGHT CONTROLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7972K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7972K), registered now, S/N D-7471, 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: D-7471
- Airframe hours: 2073
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John D. Williams
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1989
- Destination: FLINT, MI
- Airport: 9G2, Linden Price, runway 27, 2,509 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 993 total, 138 in this make and model, 955 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890802031609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890802031609A), Aug 2, 1989: Beech S35, Linden, MI, Substantial damage. Aborted takeoff due to binding of elevator controls reported by pilot. Ran off end of runway. No defects 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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