# NTSB DEN82AA115: Beech V35B, N4538S, Near Ringling, MT, June 24, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1982, 06:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Near Ringling, MT
- Coordinates: 46.260684, -110.780479 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2607&lon=-110.7805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 24, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71923
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82AA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71923/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82AA115

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ALTHOUGH IMC EXISTED OVER MOUNTAINOUS AREAS, THE PLT ATTEMPTED A VISUAL FLT DIRECT TO SALT LAKE CITY. THE PROBABLE FLT PATH OF THE ACFT WAS ONE WHICH IS USUALLY FLOWN BY PLTS ON VFR FLTS. THE COURSE TAKEN BY PLTS DESIRING TO CROSS OVER THEMOUNTAIN RIDGES WEST OF BOZEMAN,MT IS TO FOLLOW THE RAILROAD TRACKS SW OUT OF RINGLING. THE RAILROAD TRACKS LIE ALONG THE BOTTOM OF A VALLEY GENERALLY ON A HEADING OF 270 DEG BETWEEN TOWERING MOUNTAINS. THE MONTANA AERONAUTICAL CHART FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE INDICATED HIGH TERRAIN AT THE END OF THE VALLEY WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN OBSCURED IN CLOUDS. THE ACFTCOLLIDED WITH A MOUNTAIN AT THE 6900 FT LEVEL WHILE ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4538S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4538S-2011-04-11), registration cancelled 2011-04-11, S/N D-9800, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35B
- Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D9800
- Airframe hours: 832
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA-12 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lewiston Propane Company
- Registered owner: Lewiston Propane Company
- Departed: LWT, LEWISTON, MT
- Destination: SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 786 total, 76 in this make and model, 766 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft

## 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 19820624024679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820624024679A), Jun 24, 1982: Beech V35B, Ringling, MT, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Struck a cloud-obscured mountain while following a railroad VFR. Was advised VFR flight not recommended.

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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