# NTSB CHI92FA220: Beech V35B, N8BL, Northwood, ND, July 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1992, 03:10 local (08:10 UTC)
- Place: Northwood, ND
- Coordinates: 47.729946, -97.559989 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7299&lon=-97.5600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15303
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15303/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA220

## Probable cause

SPATIAL DISORIENTATION OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND DURING INITIAL CLIMB.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN DURING INITIAL CLIMB FROM A PRIVATE LANDING STRIP.  THE INTENDED DESTINATION WAS THE ANNUAL EAA FLY IN AT OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN. NIGHT VMC CONDITIONS PREVAILED. AN AURAL WITNESS HEARD WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A 'REGULAR AIRPLANE ENGINE.'  HE STATED IT STARTED RACING AND GOING REAL FAST AND THEN HE HEARD 'LITTLE POPS.'  HE SAW THE SKY TURN ORANGE.  SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE TOWN FIRE ALARM SOUNDED. THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS A DENTIST AND WORKED ALL THE PREVIOUS DAY.  HE THEN FLEW A FOUR HOUR FLIGHT AND RETURNED TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT ABOUT 2230.  THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT OCCURRED ABOUT 0310 THE FOLLOWING MORNING.  THE RUNWAY USED WAS 1700 FEET LONG AND 45 FEET WIDE. A MATURE TREE LINE CROSSED THE EXTENDED CENTERLINE APPROXIMATELY 700 FEET SOUTH OF THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED ABOUT 360 FEET SOUTHEAST OF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.  THE FLIGHT PATH WAS OVER UNLIGHTED FARMLAND AND THE MOON WAS BELOW THE HORIZON.  NO MECHANICAL DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED IN THE AIRPLANE OR POWERPLANT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8BL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8BL-1994-02-17), registration cancelled 1994-02-17, S/N D9736 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech V35B
- Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-9736
- Airframe hours: 2983
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-550B(1) 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Miller Leasing Inc.
- Registered owner: Miller Leasing Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1992
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI
- Airport: NONE, Miller, runway 18, 1,700 × 45 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,162 total, 11 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 220° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDR, 17 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 19920731028549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920731028549A), Jul 31, 1992: Beech V35B, Northwood, ND, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Indicates possible spatial disorientation on dark night takeoff and spiral into ground. Pilot fatigue a factor.

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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