# NTSB DEN86LA005: Beech 35, N3339V, Fillmore, UT, October 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 9, 1985, 10:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Fillmore, UT
- Coordinates: 38.960342, -112.390434 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9603&lon=-112.3904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16870
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16870/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA005

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED DELTA, UT ON A VFR X-C FLT AFTER BEING ADVISED BY FSS THAT VFR WAS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO IMC CONDITIONS ON THE PROPOSED ROUTE OF FLT. HE FLEW INTO AN AREA OF RISING TERRAIN, ENCOUNTERED IMC WX CONDITIONS, ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE COURSE AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3339V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3339V-1989-01-04), registration cancelled 1989-01-04, S/N D802 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Registry model: [Beech 35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35) (registry code 1151502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-802
- Airframe hours: 2816
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-11-8 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Terry D. Wallace
- Registered owner: Wallace D. Lemaster
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1984, 60 hours before
- Departed: DTA, DELTA, CO
- Destination: L67, RIALTO, CA
- Airport: U19, Fillmore

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 160 total, 160 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19851009049729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851009049729A), Oct 9, 1985: Beech 35BEECH, Fillmore, UT, Destroyed. During attempt to reverse course VFR pilot struck mountainous IFR terrain. Aircraft out of annual VFR discouraged.

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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