# NTSB FTW82DA218: Beech 35, N3803N, Terrell, TX, June 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1982, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Terrell, TX
- Coordinates: 32.730911, -96.290306 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7309&lon=-96.2903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72803
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72803/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA218

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - door - open (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - level off - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE CABIN DOOR OF THE AIRCRAFT POPPED OPEN, APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS DISTRACTED BY THE OPEN DOOR AND LOST AIRSPEED WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD JUST SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 180 DEGREES AT 10 GUSTING 15 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3803N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3803N-2009-02-04), registration cancelled 2009-02-04, S/N D-1030, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Registry model: [Beech 35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35) (registry code 1151502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-1030
- Airframe hours: 3869
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-8 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William K. Horn
- Registered owner: William K. Horn
- Departed: CADDO MILLS, TX
- Destination: TERRELL, TX
- Airport: TRL, Terrell Municipal, runway 18, 3,050 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 414 total, 16 in this make and model, 243 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 185 °F

## 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 19820608021129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820608021129A), Jun 8, 1982: Beech 35BEECH, Terrell, TX, Substantial damage. Cabin door popped open in flight. Pilots attention diverted during landing caused hard landing.

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.

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