# NTSB CHI90FA146: Beech A36, N3671B, Gaylord, MI, June 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1990, 12:18 local (16:18 UTC)
- Place: Gaylord, MI
- Coordinates: 45.020023, -84.66999 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0200&lon=-84.6700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 10, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14534
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14534/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA146

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHILE MANEUVERING (TURNING) AFTER TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/MUSH. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION, FAILURE TO MAINTAIN WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITS, AND ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

AFTER LNDG, THE PLT SEEMED CONCERNED ABOUT THE ACFT'S WT & ASKED THE ATTENDANT TO SVC THE FUEL TANKS THE BOTTOM OF THE TABS. AFTER LOADING WITH 3 PSGRS & BAGGAGE, HE TOOK OFF ON RWY 27. WINDS WERE RPRTD TO BE FM 260 DEG AT 20 GSTG 30 KTS; LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR & TURBULENCE WERE RPRTD IN THE AREA. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT SEEMED TO ACCELERATE SLOWLY &IT LIFTED OFF AFTER ROLLING ABOUT 1500 TO 2000 FT. THEY NOTED THAT IT WAS CLIMBING AT A SLOW RATE & TURNED LEFT (TO THE SOUTH, THEN EAST) AT 150 TO 200 FT AGL. ONE WITNESS NOTED THE ACFT'S NOSE WAS HIGHER THAN USUAL.  ANOTHER RPRTD THE ACFTWAS 'STAGGERING: A SLOW PORPOISING MOTION NOT GAINING AIRSPEED.'  THE ACFT THEN BANKED LEFT, DSCNDD & IMPACTED, RGT MAINGEAR 1ST ON A HDG OF 080 DEG. AFTER INPACT, FIRE ERUPTED, & THE ACFT SLID 105 FT & BURNED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. THE ACFT WAS ESTD TO HAVE BEEN LOADED TO 3680 LBS WITH A CG OF 89.4 INCHES. THE CERT MAX GROSS WT WAS 3600 LBS; THE CG LIMITS WERE FROM 81.0 TO 87.7 INCHES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3671B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3671B-1999-12-08), registration cancelled 1999-12-08, S/N E-1703 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-1703
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: G M N Leasing
- Registered owner: Gmn Leasing
- Departed: GLR
- Destination: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GLR, Otsego County, runway 27, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 525 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GLR, 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 19900603018139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900603018139A), Jun 3, 1990: Beech A36, Gaylord, MI, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Over gross weight and aft of CG limit on takeoff. Unable climb tried to return stalled crashed and burned.

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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