# NTSB FTW85FA078: Beech V35A, N7460N, Midlothian, TX, December 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 17, 1984, 18:48 local (Dec 18, 1984, 00:48 UTC)
- Place: Midlothian, TX
- Coordinates: 32.48962, -96.990661 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4896&lon=-96.9907&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): 21515
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21515/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA078

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - flight/nav instruments,turn and bank indicator - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - flight/nav instruments,attitude indicator - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - flight/nav instruments,directional gyro - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - vacuum system - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - engine accessories,vacuum pump - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

N7460N, OPERATING AS MID-AMERICA FLT 401, CRASHED WHILE ON AN IFR FLT PLAN ENROUTE TO CORPUS CHRISTI, TX. AFTER HAVING BEEN VECTORED AROUND A HEAVY THUNDERSTORM & CLEARED DIRECT TO WACO, TX. THE PLT CONTACTED FORT WORTH CENTER & STATED THAT HE HAD 'LOST MY ARTIFICIAL HORIZON & MY DIRCTIONAL GYRO.' AFTER ASKING THE PLT IF THE ACFT HAD A COMPASS & RECEIVING AN AFFIRMATIVE REPLY THE ACFT WAS INSTRUCTED TO TURN TO A 010 HEADING. SHORTLY AFTER, THE RADAR TARGET WAS LOST. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT HAD BEEN EMPLOYED BY MID-AMERICA FOR APROX 3 WKS AS A NIGHT REFUELER. ON THE DATE OF THE ACC THE PLT WAS REPORTEDLY GIVEN A 1.2 HR PART 135 CHECK RIDE BY THE COMPANY ASST CHIEF PLT. THE VACUUM PUMP DRIVE WAS FOUND SHEARED WITH THE SHEARED ENDS POLISHED, INDICATING THAT THE DRAYING END WAS STILL ROTATING AFTER SHAFT SEPARATION. ONE VACUUM DRIVEN GYRO WAS FOUND SHOWING NO EVIDENCE OF ROTATION AT IMPACT. THE GYRO FROM THE ELECTRICALLY POWERED TURN & BANK SHOWED NO SIGNS OF ROTATION AT IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7460N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7460N-2012-09-20), registration cancelled 2012-09-20, S/N D-8848, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35A
- Registry model: [Beech V35A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35a) (registry code 1151544) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-8848
- Airframe hours: 5417
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mid-America Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 30, 1984, 61 hours before
- Departed: RBD, DALLAS, TX
- Destination: CRP, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAL, 487 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 19841217067159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841217067159A), Dec 17, 1984: Beech V35A, Midlothian, TX, Destroyed. Aircraft impacted ground in steep nose down high speed attitude. Pilot reported losing dg and artifical horizon.

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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