# NTSB CHI92LA125: Beech K35, N441B, Valley City, ND, April 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1992, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Valley City, ND
- Coordinates: 46.919197, -98.000205 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9192&lon=-98.0002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15423
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15423/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA125

## Probable cause

FAILURE BY AIRPORT PERSONNEL TO REMOVE THE SNOW RIDGE.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s)
  - airport snow removal - inadequate, airport personnel (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A RIDGE OF ICE DURING TAKEOFF ROLL. THE 6-INCH OBSTACLE WAS OBSCURED BY WINDBLOWN GRASS AND INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM THE SOD RUNWAY. THE ICE WAS THE COMPACTED RESIDUE OF SNOW PLOWED FROM AN INTERSECTING PAVED RUNWAY WHICH WENT UNNOTICED UNTIL THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N441B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N441B-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N D-5943, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH K35
- Registry model: [Beech K35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-k35) (registry code 1151524) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-5943
- Airframe hours: 3666
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470C 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lewis, Asle K.
- Registered owner: Lewis, Asle K.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1991, 82 hours before
- Destination: ND34, LISBON, ND
- Airport: 6D8, Barnes County, runway 26, 2,700 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 3,600 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920406009329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920406009329A), Apr 6, 1992: Beech K35, Valley City, ND, Substantial damage. Struck ice ridge at runway intersection. Flew to home base. Discovered wing and landing gear damage.

## Other investigations on N441B (1)

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.

- [NTSB ANC94LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA053), May 2, 1994: Beech 35 (N441B), Gustavus, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DELAY IN SELECTING THE MAIN FUEL TANK POSITION. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING WAS 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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