# NTSB FTW84FA326: Beech S35, N5685K, Bedias, TX, July 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1984, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Bedias, TX
- Coordinates: 30.739589, -95.919097 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7396&lon=-95.9191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21137
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA326
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21137/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA326

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - flight control,ruddervator - overload
  - stabilizer - overload
  - wing - overload
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PLT PENETRATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM IN WHICH TURBULENCE WAS LABELED AS SEVERE OR GREATER. THERE WAS NO PRE OR IN-FLT WX BRIEFING. THE AIRCRAFT BROKE UP IN-FLT AND WAS CONSUMED BY POST CRASH FIRE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED EVIDENCE OF PREVIOUS STABILIZER OVERLOAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5685K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH S35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D7614
- Airframe hours: 4470
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Walter L. Haning
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 1984, 8 hours before
- Departed: T86, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: F44, ATHENS, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLL, 32 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 19840727035559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840727035559A), Jul 27, 1984: Beech S35, Bedias, TX, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed in vicinity of thunderstorm. Investigation revealed airframe breakup before ground impact.

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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