# NTSB CHI93LA015: Beech K35, N3074C, Scott City, KS, October 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1992, 01:30 local (06:30 UTC)
- Place: Scott City, KS
- Coordinates: 38.470283, -100.900573 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4703&lon=-100.9006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15611
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15611/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA015

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE ALTERNATOR AND THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT DESCENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - electrical system,alternator - inoperative (cause)
  - electrical system - failure,total
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - light condition - dark night
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED AFTER MIDNIGHT ON THE LAST LEG OF A BUSINESS TRIP.  HE REPORTED HE LOST ELECTRICAL POWER AFTER GEAR RETRACTION DURING CLIMB FROM TAKEOFF.  HE USED A FLASHLIGHT FOR COCKPIT ILLUMINATION AND A MOBILE TELEPHONE TO CONTACT SOMEONE AT THE DESTINATION.  NEARING THE DESTINATION, HE EXTENDED THE LANDING GEAR MANUALLY, DESCENDED TO PASS OVER THE FIELD FOR A VISUAL CHECK OF THE GEAR, AND CONTINUED TROUBLESHOOTING. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND 2.5 MILES NORTH OF THE FIELD.  TWO CONNECTIONS FOR THE ALTERNATOR WERE FOUND LOOSE OR BROKEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3074C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3074C-1998-04-23), registration cancelled 1998-04-23, S/N D5738 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH K35
- Registry model: [Beech K35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-k35) (registry code 1151524) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-5738
- Airframe hours: 3449
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-C 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Crotts Aircraft Service, Inc
- Registered owner: Crotts Aircraft Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 1992, 40 hours before
- Departed: KS01, HOXIE, KS
- Destination: 2K9
- Airport: 2K9, Scott City Municipal, runway 17, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 341 total, 74 in this make and model, 281 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GCK, 36 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 19921025056349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921025056349A), Oct 25, 1992: Beech K35, Scott City, KS, Substantial damage. Lost electric power on climbout. Flew on to destination then unnoticed descent extending gear. Hit ground 2MI short

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
