# NTSB FTW75AF024: Beech M35, N364Z, Merkel, TX, September 24, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 24, 1974
- Place: Merkel, TX · MERKEL, TX
- Location: 32.4697° N, 100.0111° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Merkel, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4697&lon=-100.0111&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 136767
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW75AF024
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW75AF024

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2872  74/9/24  NR.MERKEL,TEX         BEECH M35           CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 46, 453
        TIME - 0813                    N364Z               PX-  0  0  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 50 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          DALLAS,TEX                  SWEETWATER,TEX               ABILENE,TEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXCEEDED DESIGNED STRESS LIMITS OF AIRCRAFT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - RAIN
           WEATHER - FOG
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY WEATHER BUREAU PERSONEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               100
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1 MILE OR LESS                                            DRIZZLE, RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       52
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
           20                                                       7
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      IFR
        REMARKS- CLRD FOR VECTORS TO ILS APCH AT ABILENE.LOST CTL.L WG FAILED JUST BFOR IMPACT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N364Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N364Z-1974-12-02), registration cancelled 1974-12-02, S/N D-6521 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH M35
- Registry model: [Beech M35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-m35) (registry code 1151526) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19740924034259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740924034259A), Sep 24, 1974: Beech M35, Merkel, TX, Destroyed. Clrd for vectors to ILS apch at abilene. Lost ctl.l wg failed just bfor impact.

## Other investigations on N364Z (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW72DRG68](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72DRG68), Apr 20, 1972: Beech M35 (N364Z), San Marcos, TX, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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