# NTSB DEN92FA028: Beech 35, N3342V, Nucla, CO, January 18, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1992, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Nucla, CO
- Coordinates: 38.259899, -108.550048 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2599&lon=-108.5500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18145
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92FA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18145/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92FA028

## Probable cause

IMPROPER STATIC BALANCE OF THE RUDDERVATORS FOLLOWING REBUILDING/REPAINTING, WHICH RESULTED IN EMPENNAGE FLUTTER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - maintenance,balancing - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - flight control,ruddervator - improper (cause)
  - flight control,ruddervator - flutter
  - fuselage,bulkhead - cracked
  - fuselage,skin - buckled

## Analysis

FLUTTER OF THE EMPENNAGE OCCURRED DURING A CRUISE-DESCENT IN SMOOTH AIR.  THIS RESULTED IN CRACKS IN ALL 4 CORNERS OF THE AFT FUSELAGE BULKHEAD AND WRINKLING OF THE FUSELAGE SKIN IN THE AREA OF THE RUDDERVATOR ATTACHMENT POINTS.  THE LEFT RUDDERVATOR HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON THE AIRPLANE DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, AFTER IT WAS REMOVED TO HAVE NEW SKIN INSTALLED.  THE SURFACE WAS REPAINTED, AND THE PAINT THICKNESS EXCEEDED THE MANUFACTURER'S FACTORY ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA.  POST-ACCIDENT TESTING DISCLOSED THE STATIC BALANCE OF BOTH RUDDERVATORS TO BE EXCESSIVELY TAIL HEAVY.  NO LEAD BALANCING WASHERS WERE FOUND IN EITHER RUDDERVATOR COUNTERWEIGHT HOUSING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3342V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3342V), registered now, S/N D-805, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Registry model: [Beech 35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35) (registry code 1151502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-805
- Airframe hours: 4081
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-205-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richards, James D.
- Registered owner: Richards, James D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 10, 1992, 6 hours before
- Departed: 6V6, NUCLA, CO
- Destination: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 75 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19920118004779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920118004779A), Jan 18, 1992: Beech 35BEECH, Nucla, CO, Substantial damage. Empannage flutter descending to land. Cracked aft fuselage. Wrinkled skin at ruddervator attach. Improper painting.

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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