# NTSB FTW82FPJ12: Beech G35, N4438D, Stillwater, OK, January 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1982, 21:22 local (Jan 20, 1982, 03:22 UTC)
- Place: Stillwater, OK
- Coordinates: 36.080951, -97.069267 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0810&lon=-97.0693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72732
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FPJ12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72732/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FPJ12

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED ON A DARK NIGHT WITH NO RECORD OF A FLIGHT PLAN FILED OR A WEATHER BRIEFING RECEIVED. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT CLIMB OUT OF SIGHT INTO A FOG LAYER WHEN 2/3 DOWN THE RUNWAY THEN REAPPEAR AND CONTINUE TO FLY AT TREE TOP LEVEL MAINTAINING RUNWAY HEADING. A WITNESS THEN SAW THE AIRCRAFT MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT LOW ALTITUDE BEFORE LOSING SIGHT OF IT JUST PRIOR TO HEARING AN EXPLOSION. THE PILOT HAD A PRIVATE PILOT'S CERTIFICATE BUT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT QUALIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4438D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH G35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4536
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: C. D. Kelley
- Registered owner: C. D. Kelley
- Departed: SWO, STILLWATER, OK
- Destination: SWO, STILLWATER, OK
- Airport: SWO, Stillwater Municipal, runway 35, 5,000 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 115 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 95 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OKC

## 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 19820119001439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820119001439A), Jan 19, 1982: Beech G35, Stillwater, OK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. VFR pilot departed into low ceiling and fog. Lost control, flew into trees. Unskilled in type. No weather brief.

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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