# NTSB ERA14CA175: Beech S35, N8985M, Marathon, FL, March 30, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 29, 2014, 20:17 local (Mar 30, 2014, 00:17 UTC) - Place: Marathon, FL - Coordinates: 24.756666, -81.013336 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.7567&lon=-81.0133&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88985 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88985/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88985 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA175 ## Probable cause The pilot's distraction in the cockpit while on a visual approach over water during a dark night resulting in the airplane descending until impact with the water. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech S35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech S35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Lighting system: exterior lighting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023340): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction; cases with it: [Beech S35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023340/cases.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023340/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Beech S35, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Beech S35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech S35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that after takeoff the flight proceeded IFR towards the destination airport (The Florida Keys Marathon Airport), Marathon, Florida. He cancelled his IFR clearance, and performed the pre-landing checklist. While on the base leg over water during the dark night, he became distracted by the failure of the landing light. With the landing gear and flaps extended for landing but the power set to 15 inches of manifold pressure, he did not recognize the airplane was descending. When the airplane impacted the water he thought they were at 1,000 feet. He also stated that he attempted to activate the runway lights using the common traffic advisory frequency but stated he could not see them. In hindsight he stated that he must have been too low at that time to see the runway lights. According to the County of Monroe Assistant Director of Airports, the runway lights at The Florida Keys Marathon Airport come on automatically at night and remain on "step 1." Being a 14 CFR Part 139 airport, a complete night inspection is performed each Friday and Monday, and each working day in the morning a continuous inspection is performed on the runway lighting circuit. As noted in the Daily Self Inspection Reports, the airfield runway lights were functioning properly during the course of the weekend and there were no issues with the runway lighting system. The runway end identifier lights for runway 7 were out of service at that time. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that after takeoff the flight proceeded IFR towards the destination airport (The Florida Keys Marathon Airport), Marathon, Florida. He cancelled his IFR clearance, and performed the pre-landing checklist. While on the base leg over water during the dark night, he became distracted by the failure of the landing light. With the landing gear and flaps extended for landing but the power set to 15 inches of manifold pressure, he did not recognize the airplane was descending. When the airplane impacted the water he thought they were at 1,000 feet. He also stated that he attempted to activate the runway lights using the common traffic advisory frequency but stated he could not see them. In hindsight he stated that he must have been too low at that time to see the runway lights.According to the County of Monroe Assistant Director of Airports, the runway lights at The Florida Keys Marathon Airport come on automatically at night and remain on "step 1." Being a 14 CFR Part 139 airport, a complete night inspection is performed each Friday and Monday, and each working day in the morning a continuous inspection is performed on the runway lighting circuit. As noted in the Daily Self Inspection Reports, the airfield runway lights were functioning properly during the course of the weekend and there were no issues with the runway lighting system. The runway end identifier lights for runway 7 were out of service at that time. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8985M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8985M-2018-02-15), registration cancelled 2018-02-15, S/N D-7314, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH S35 - Registry model: [Beech S35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (registry code 1151532) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-7314 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 5025 - Engines: Continental IO-520-B 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tharp James R - Registered owner: Tharp James R - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2013 - Departed: X23, Umatilla, FL - Destination: MTH, Marathon, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MTH, The Florida Keys Marathon Arpt, runway 25, 5,008 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 5,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 4,950 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: MTH, 3 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 20140329002699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140329002699A), Mar 29, 2014: Beech S35, Marathon, FL, Substantial damage. On March 29, 2014, at 1834 EST, a Beechcraft bonanza S-35, N8985M, [privacy data omitted] piloted by a private individual holding a commercial pilots license,… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 1, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88985. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 402 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411857&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report and Record (item 2, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411858&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report%20and%20Record-Master.PDF - NTSB Record of Conversation with PIC (item 3, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411859&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20PIC-Redacted.PDF - FAA Record of Conversation with PIC (item 4, .PDF, 307 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411860&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20PIC-Redacted.PDF - Documents from Marathon Airport (item 5, .PDF, 327 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411861&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Documents%20from%20Marathon%20Airport-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.