# NTSB FTW86LA005: Beech K35, N35JW, El Paso, TX, October 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1985, 17:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: El Paso, TX
- Coordinates: 31.800975, -106.360824 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8010&lon=-106.3608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21981
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21981/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA005

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - turbulence (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HIS STRAIGHT-IN LANDING FINAL APCH WAS SMOOTH. THE AIRSPEED HAD DECREASED FROM 80 TO 65 KTS & THE ACFT'S WHEELS WERE ONLY INCHES ABOVE THE RWY WHEN THE RIGHT WING SUDDENLY LIFTED AND CAUSED THE ACFT TO VEER LEFT AND TOUCH DOWN ON THE DIRT BESIDE THE RWY. WIND WAS LIGHT AND VARIABLE WITH NO REPORTED GUSTS. THE PLT STATED THAT HE EITHERENCOUNTERED AN UNSEEN 'DUST DEVIL' ON THE RWY OR GOT INTO THE THE VORTEX TURBULENCE OF A LIGHT TWIN ENGINE ACFT (TYPE UNKNOWN) WHICH HAD JUST DEPARTED FROM THE SAME RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35JW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35JW), registered now, S/N D-5872, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech K35
- Registry model: [Beech K35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-k35) (registry code 1151524) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-5872
- Airframe hours: 4832
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul Arndt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1985
- Departed: MAF, MIDLAND, TX
- Destination: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Airport: ELP, El Paso International, runway 26L, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 623 total, 313 in this make and model, 527 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: ELP

## 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 19851005057239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851005057239A), Oct 5, 1985: Beech K35, El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. Dragged wingtip after encountering dust devil just before touchdown. Landed between runway and taxiway.

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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