# NTSB DEN81FA007: Beech 65, N35CS, Sula, MT, October 17, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 17, 1980
- Place: Sula, MT · SULA, MT
- Location: 45.8462° N, 113.9575° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sula, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8462&lon=-113.9575&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 14, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127525
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN81FA007
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FA007

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3784  80/10/17 NR.SULA,MT            BEECH 65            CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 33, 2600
        TIME - 1425                    N35CS               PX-  2  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 31 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          YUBA CITY,CA                MISSOULA,MT                  CHALLIS,ID
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
           WEATHER - SNOW
           TERRAIN - OTHER
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY WEATHER BUREAU PERSONEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  900
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                      SNOW, SNOW SHOWERS
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          FOG                                                      IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- WITNESSES REPORTED LOW ALT FLT THROUGH PASS IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35CS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35CS-2013-08-13), registration cancelled 2013-08-13, S/N LC-141, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 65
- Registry model: [Beech 65](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-65) (registry code 1152802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GSO&IGSO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-gso-igso-480-series) (registry code 41529, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19801017058269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801017058269A), Oct 17, 1980: Beech 65, Sula, MT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft crashed in moutainous terrain when pilot was attempting to fly under weather.

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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