# NTSB DEN82DA178: Beech 35, N3899N, Grand Junction, CO, August 30, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1982, 17:07 local (23:07 UTC)
- Place: Grand Junction, CO
- Location: 39.0639° N, 108.5506° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Grand Junction, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0639&lon=-108.5506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70878
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70878/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA178

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - failure,partial (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT BEFORE LANDING, HE LOWERED THE GEAR AND CHECKED THE INDICATORS WHICH SHOWED THAT THE GEAR WAS EXTENDED. DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED ON THE RIGHT WING. DESPITE THE PILOT'S USE OF LEFT AILERON, LEFT RUDDER AND LEFT BRAKE, THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR RETRACT ROD, PN 35-815125-4, HAD FAILED IN THE AREA OF A PREVIOUS WELD. THIS PREVENTED THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR FROM PROPERLY LOCKING IN THE DOWN POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3899N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D1145
- Airframe hours: 3991
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-1 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jerry Lee Stephens
- Registered owner: Junction Flyers
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: LE SUER, MN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GJC, Walker Field, runway 29, 10,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 336 total, 24 in this make and model, 267 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Temperature: 198 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GJC

## 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 19820830042669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820830042669A), Aug 30, 1982: Beech B35, Grand Junction, CO, Substantial damage. Retract rod assembly broke at touchdown causing right gear to collapse. P/N35-815125-4.

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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