# NTSB ERA15LA231: Beech A36, N985K, Siler City, NC, June 2, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 2, 2015, 08:00 local (12:00 UTC) - Place: Siler City, NC - Coordinates: 35.697223, -79.508331 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6972&lon=-79.5083&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Textron Aviation, FAA/FSDO, Continental Motors - NTSB case key (mKey): 91285 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15LA231 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91285/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91285 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA231 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering for landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/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 final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Beech A36, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A36, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech A36, 78 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The purpose of the accident flight was to reposition the accident airplane in order to have maintenance performed on its alternator. The accident pilot planned to fly with the airplane's landing gear extended for the duration of the flight and used a handheld radio for communications, presumably because of the intermittent or non-functional state of the alternator. Another pilot, who was flying in his own airplane, accompanied the accident flight, and they arrived in the vicinity of the destination airport about the same time. As the accident pilot maneuvered his airplane to land, the accompanying pilot watched as the accident airplane flew a downwind traffic pattern leg very close to the runway, then entered a "tight" base-to-final turn. The airplane subsequently entered what the accompanying pilot described as an accelerated aerodynamic stall and descended in a nose-down attitude toward the ground. The airplane impacted trees and terrain about 500 ft short of the runway threshold. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures, with the exception of the alternator, which failed a diagnostic test run. ## Factual narrative On June 2, 2015, about 0800 eastern daylight time, a Beech A36, N985K, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while attempting to land at Siler City Municipal Airport (SCR), Siler City, North Carolina. The private pilot was seriously injured, and the commercial pilot-rated passenger was fatally injured. The airplane was privately owned and operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which originated from Moore County Airport (SOP), Pinehurst, North Carolina.According to a friend of the pilot, the purpose of the accident flight was to reposition the airplane in order to have maintenance performed on the alternator. The accident airplane departed from SOP, and, due to concerns related to the airplane's electrical system, the pilot kept the landing gear extended for the duration of the flight and planned to utilize a handheld communication radio. The friend departed SOP a short time later in his own airplane and arrived in the area of SCR before the accident airplane. The friend reported that a "haze" layer was present near the north side of the airport that was not present toward the south. The friend subsequently maneuvered his airplane so that the accident airplane could enter the traffic pattern and land first. The accident airplane initially entered the traffic pattern on a downwind leg for landing on runway 22, but upon noting the haze to the north, the pilot announced that they would transition over top of the airport to a left downwind for landing on runway 4. The friend intermittently observed the accident airplane as it maneuvered and noted that, while on the downwind-to-base turn to the runway, the airplane was near the runway in a left bank and nose-high attitude. He further described the turn from base to final as "too tight," and he thought that the airplane had entered an accelerated stall. When he next saw the airplane, it was in a nose-down attitude heading toward a stand of trees that bordered the runway's east side short of the runway threshold. The friend did not observe the impact, but when he did not receive a reply to his inquiries as to their position, he assumed that the airplane had crashed. He subsequently orbited the area where he last observed the airplane and located the accident site. He then landed his own airplane, contacted emergency services, and proceeded to the accident site to render assistance. The pilot seated in the left seat held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. He held a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate, which was issued in June 2014. On the application for that certificate, he reported 1,430 total hours of flight experience. The pilot-rated passenger, who was seated in the right seat, held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single- and multi-engine land, andinstrument airplane, as well as a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single- and multi-engine land and instrument airplane. The passenger held an FAA second-class medical certificate, which was issued in September 2014, and on the application for that certificate, she reported 4,900 total hours of flight experience. According to the friend, the passenger was not operating in the capacity of a flight instructor on the accident flight. An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident site and identified the initial impact point as a tree located about 500 ft southeast of the runway 4 approach threshold and about 300 ft southeast of the extended runway centerline. The wreckage came to rest about 65 ft from the initial impact point on a 65° magnetic bearing. First responders advised the inspectors of an odor of fuel at the accident site but indicated that there was no postimpact fire. Detailed examination of the wreckage confirmed flight control continuity from the control column and rudder pedals to each flight control surface. The landing gear selector switch was found in the extended position, and examination of the landing gear actuators revealed positions consistent with the landing gear being extended at impact. The flap actuator was found in the retracted position. One of the three propeller blades was separated from the propeller hub, and all three blades exhibited chordwise scratching. The airplane's alternator was removed and placed on a test bench. The alternator failed the diagnostic test run, with the report noting that the unit produced "low output" and recommending replacement of the stator and/or rotor. The 0755 weather observation at SCR included calm wind, 7 statute miles visibility, a broken ceiling at 200 ft, and overcast ceiling at 9,000 ft, temperature 19°C, dew point 19°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.04 inches of mercury. At 0815, the weather conditions included 5 statute miles visibility in light rain, scattered clouds at 200 ft, scattered clouds at 6,500 ft, and an overcast ceiling at 8,000 ft. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Raleigh, North Carolina, performed an autopsy of the pilot-rated passenger. The reported cause of death was "multiple injuries." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N985K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N985K-2018-04-06), registration cancelled 2018-04-06, S/N E-1947, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A36 - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-1947 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 3501 - Engines: Continental Motors IO-520-BB reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bhb Of The Sandhills LLC - Registered owner: Bhb Of The Sandhills LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 2013 - Departed: SOP, PINEHURST/SOUTHERN PINES, NC - Destination: SCR, Siler City, NC - Airport: SCR, Siler City Municipal Airport, runway 4, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,430 total - Pilot-rated passenger; age 69; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,900 total ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 200 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KSCR ## 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 20150602010319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150602010319A), Jun 2, 2015: Beech A36, Siler City, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft departed SOP (southern pines) for Siler City (scr) at approximately 0720. The accident occurred approximately 0745-0755. The distance flown is 29… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 30, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91285. 4.3 MB in all. - Witness Interview Summary - Pilot's Friend (item 1, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462735&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Interview%20Summary%20-%20Pilot%27s%20Friend-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462734&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Witness Interview Summaries - Courtesy of FAA (item 3, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462736&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Interview%20Summaries%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF - Accident Site Diagram - Courtesy of FAA (item 4, .PDF, 750 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462737&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Diagram%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF - Alternator Test Results (item 5, .PDF, 711 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462738&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Alternator%20Test%20Results-Master.PDF - Investigation Photographs (item 6, .PDF, 3 photos, 793 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462739&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-Master.PDF - Engine Data Monitor Factual Report (item 7, .PDF, 189 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462740&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Data%20Monitor%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 8, .PDF, 437 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462741&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 9, .PDF, 889 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462742&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 10, .PDF, 267 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462743&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.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.