# NTSB FTW86LA048: Beech H35, N5531D, Talihina, OK, March 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1986, 17:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Talihina, OK
- Coordinates: 34.749378, -95.040565 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7494&lon=-95.0406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22003/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA048

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - induction air control/system - ice (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (cause)

## Analysis

ACFT HAD A LONG DESCENT FROM CRUISE ALT OF 7500' MSL AT REDUCED POWER SETTING DUE TO PLT'S DESIRE TO AVOID THE MODERATE TURBULENCE AT LOWER ALTITUDES. ON SHORT FINAL, OVER TALL TREES, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. THE PLT STATED THAT WHEN HE APPLIED POWER TO ARREST THE DESCENT RATE, THE ENG HESITATED AND CONSEQUENTLY THE ACFT ENTERED THE TOPS OF THE TREES. WINDS WERE VARIABLE FROM 160 TO 230 DEGS AT 15 TO 26 KTS. HILLY TERRAIN IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT POSSIBLY CONTRIBUTED TO MECHANICAL TURBULENCE. PLT GAVE NO INDICATION THAT HE EVER ADDED POWER AT ANY TIME DURING THE DESCENT OR INITIAL APPROACH. ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS INDICATE THAT THE CONDITIONS WERE PRESENT FOR THE FORMATION OF INDUCTION ICING AT GLIDE POWER SETTINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5531D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5531D-1995-02-01), registration cancelled 1995-02-01, S/N D5081 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H35
- Registry model: [Beech H35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h35) (registry code 1151520) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5081
- Airframe hours: 2206
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-G 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Calvin E. Pierce
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 29, 1985, 50 hours before
- Departed: RVS, TULSA, OK
- Destination: 6R1
- Airport: 6F1, Talihina Muni, runway 19, 3,300 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 191 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 35 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19860325007629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860325007629A), Mar 25, 1986: Beech H35, Talihina, OK, Substantial damage. Hit downdraft on short final. Engine hesitated on power application. Hit trees then ground. Wind direction varied.

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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