# NTSB DEN90FA170: Beech J35, N21CS, Santa Fe, NM, August 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1990, 11:36 local (17:36 UTC)
- Place: Santa Fe, NM
- Coordinates: 35.74031, -105.860397 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7403&lon=-105.8604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90FA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17843/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90FA170

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE MANEUVERING TO LAND, THE PILOT WAS TOLD TO GO AROUND.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A SPIN & CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ACCIDENT.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH STC NO:3A15, WHICH INVOLVED INSTALLATION OF DROOPED WING TIPS (DEMER SUPER TIPS) FOR IMPROVED CLIMB PERFORMANCE & CRUISE SPEED, AS WELL AS REDUCED STALL SPEED & TAKEOFF DISTANCE.  THE PILOT'S BLOOD TESTED POSITIVE FOR ETHANOL (0.041%); HOWEVER, THE BLOOD SAMPLE WAS NOT CONSIDERED SUITABLE FOR ANALYSIS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21CS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21CS-1992-01-13), registration cancelled 1992-01-13, S/N D5543 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH J35
- Registry model: [Beech J35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-j35) (registry code 1151522) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-5543
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walton, Harold E.
- Registered owner: Walton, Harold E
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: SGU, ST GEORGE, UT
- Destination: SAF
- Airport: SAF, Santa Fe Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 414 total, 290 in this make and model, 341 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAF, 1 nm away

## 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 19900817033859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900817033859A), Aug 17, 1990: Beech J35, Santa Fe, NM, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Became confused as to proper runway and pattern. Became too low for pattern. Advised to climb stalled and spun in.

## Other investigations on N21CS (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC83LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA119), May 29, 1983: Beech J35 (N21CS), Fulton, MO, substantial damage

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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