# NTSB ERA19LA028: Beech V35, N5624S, Murfreesboro, TN, October 28, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 28, 2018, 12:10 local (17:10 UTC) - Place: Murfreesboro, TN - Coordinates: 35.878612, -86.377502 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8786&lon=-86.3775&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 98550 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA19LA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98550/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98550 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA028 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude in gusting wind conditions. ## 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 V35, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151538), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 V35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1151538), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Beech V35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1151538), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Beech V35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1151538), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech V35, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1151538), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech V35, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151538), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was conducting a cross-country, personal flight. He reported that, during approach to the destination airport, he had to manually extend the landing gear because he noticed the "down" light was not green. A witness who was in the airport terminal reported that he heard the pilot announce on the CTAF that his airplane was having "amperage" issues and that he might have to land with no radios. The pilot then asked him to confirm that the landing gear were extended. The witness went out to the taxiway and checked the landing gear status as the pilot conducted a low pass over the runway. The landing gear was not extended fully. The pilot stated that he attempted to go around but that the airplane was "sucked down" into trees by "a very strong wind" as the airplane proceeded beyond the departure end of the runway. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the alternator switch was in the "off" position, which would have prevented the battery from charging and likely led to there being insufficient battery power to extend the landing gear. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, there was a right quartering headwind at 14 knots, gusting to 19 knots. ## Factual narrative On October 28, 2018, about 1210 central daylight time, a Beech V35, N5624S, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees while maneuvering at low altitude near Murfreesboro Municipal Airport (MBT), Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was privately owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight that originated from Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport (GKT), Sevierville, Tennessee, about 1000.The pilot reported that he attempted to extend the landing gear while in the airport traffic pattern at MBT. He then noticed that the green cockpit indicator was not illuminated and manually extended the landing gear. The pilot subsequently requested that personnel on the ground confirm that the landing gear was extended and he performed a low pass over runway 18. The pilot was told that the landing gear were not extended, so he attempted a go-around, but was "sucked down" into trees by a very strong wind. Other than a possible electrical issue, the pilot reported that there were no other preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airframe or engine. A witness stated that he and a friend were in the MBT airport terminal building when they heard the pilot announce on the common traffic advisory frequency that his airplane was having "amperage" issues and he might be performing a landing with no radios. The pilot then asked if the witness could visually confirm that the landing gear was extended. The witness agreed and went to a taxiway with a handheld radio while the pilot performed a low pass over runway 18. The witness reported to the pilot that the landing gear was only partially extended. The airplane then proceeded beyond the departure end of the runway, losing altitude, looked like it stalled and descended into trees. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to both wings and the fuselage. The inspector noted that the alternator switch was in the off position. The recorded weather at MBT, at 1215, included wind from 210° at 14 knots, gusting to 19 knots, and a clear sky. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5624S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5624S), registered now, S/N D-8168, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech V35 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Beech V35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35) (registry code 1151538) (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-8168 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 4603 - Engines: Continental IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 27, 2018, 2 hours before - Departed: GKT, Sevierville, TN - Destination: MBT, Murfreesboro, TN - Airport: MBT, Murfreesboro Municipal Airport, runway 18, 4,753 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,208 total, 999,999 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 14 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: MBT, 5 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 20181028021099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181028021099A), Oct 28, 2018: Beech V35, Murfreesboro, TN, Substantial damage. Upon arrival , pilot contacted mbt and stated that he was experiencing landing gear electrical issues. Pilot made arrangements to make a low pass so mbt… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 20, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98550. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470490&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 202 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470491&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 255 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470492&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 4, .PDF, 3 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470493&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.