# NTSB FTW00LA211: Beech D35, N3424B, Decatur, AR, July 15, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 15, 2000, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Decatur, AR - Coordinates: 36.329002, -94.449668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3290&lon=-94.4497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49742 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA211 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49742/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA211 ## Probable cause The inadvertent stall while maneuvering to avoid obstructions during a forced landing. A factor was the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to the propeller blades striking the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr) - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - go-around - initiated, pilot in command - propeller system/accessories - blade strike (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Loss of control - in flight, emergency landing - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The pilot stated that he made visual contact with the destination airport when he was 'several miles out.' He flew a left base for runway 31, close in, and hurried to get things set up for the turn to final. On short final, he noticed that the airplane was extremely fast, and as the airplane approached the runway, the pilot remarked to his passenger that 'something was not right.' He then noticed that the landing gear handle was in the retracted position and initiated a go-around. Simultaneously, he heard scraping as if the airplane had contacted the runway. The pilot stated that he believes 'the prop hit the runway.' During the go-around, the pilot noticed that the airplane would not maintain a positive rate of climb. The pilot initiated an approach to a field, but 'pulled the airplane up' to clear trees and, subsequently, the airplane stalled, impacted the ground, and came to rest upright. ## Factual narrative On July, 15, 2000, at 1300 central daylight time, a Beech D35 airplane, N3424B, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a go-around near Decatur, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, who was the registered owner and operator, and his passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, for which no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Smith Field, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, approximately 1255, and was destined for the Crystal Lake Airport, Decatur, Arkansas. According to the pilot, the flight departed Siloam Springs for the eight nautical mile trip to Decatur. The pilot visually located the airport when he was "several miles out." He stated that he was "in a left base, close in, and hurried to get things set up for the turn to final. On short final, [he] noticed [they] were extremely fast, and as [they] got closer to the runway, remarked that things were not right." He then noticed that the landing gear handle was in the retracted position, and he had not extended the landing gear. He initiated a go-around and simultaneously, he heard scraping as if the airplane had contacted the runway surface. The pilot stated that he believes "the prop hit the runway." The pilot further stated that the airplane responded when he "jerked back on the controls, but the engine did not develop full power." The airplane reached a height of 100 feet agl and then would not maintain a positive rate of climb. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open field off the departure end of the runway 31. During the approach, the pilot "pulled the airplane up to clear trees," and subsequently, the airplane stalled. The airplane impacted the ground, slid 100 feet, and came to rest upright in the field. The FAA inspector, who examined the airplane at the accident site, reported that the ruddervator and both wings were structurally damaged and the engine firewall was buckled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3424B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3424B-2006-05-05), registration cancelled 2006-05-05, S/N D-3662, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech D35 - Registry model: [Beech D35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d35) (registry code 1151510) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3662 - Engines: Continental E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Larry E. Jones - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 2000, 6 hours before - Departed: SLG, SILOAM SPRINGS, AR - Destination: 5M5, AR - Airport: 5M5, Crystal Lake, runway 31, 3,865 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: XNA, 18 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 20000715007729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000715007729A), Jul 15, 2000: Beech D35, Decatur, AR, No damage. (-23) On July 15, 2000 at 1300 CDT, a Beech model 35, N3424B, registered to and operated by a private owned under title 14 CFR part 91, executed a go around at… 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.