# NTSB DEN88LA012: Beech C35, N2028D, Ekalaka, MT, October 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1987, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Ekalaka, MT
- Coordinates: 45.769985, -104.51078 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7700&lon=-104.5108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17408
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17408/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA012

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED AN UNEXPECTED TAILWIND. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE TRIED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF BUT TALL GRASS AND THE TAILWIND DID NOT ALLOW THE AIRCRAFT TO DECELERATE PROPERLY. THE AIRCRAFT RAN THROUGH TWO DRAINAGE DITCHES AND STRUCK THE RIDGE OF A THIRD. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN A FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2028D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2028D-1990-07-19), registration cancelled 1990-07-19, S/N D3379 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C35
- Registry model: [Beech C35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c35) (registry code 1151508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3379
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Strode, Donald L.
- Registered owner: Donald R. Strode
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1987
- Destination: UES, WAUKESHA, WI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 5U2, Ekalaka, runway 12, 2,950 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 168 total, 52 in this make and model, 116 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F

## 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 19871021061339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871021061339A), Oct 21, 1987: Beech B35, Ekalaka, MT, Destroyed. Unexpected windshift to tailwind on takeoff roll. Aborted but unable to stop,ran off end. Hit ditch and embankment.

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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