# NTSB FTW86MA010: Beech V35, N8475H, Bridger, MT, October 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1985, 09:50 local (15:50 UTC)
- Place: Bridger, MT
- Coordinates: 45.190738, -108.761001 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1907&lon=-108.7610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86MA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22163/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86MA010

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DRG A PREFLT WX BRIEFING, THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO FORECAST FRONTAL ACTIVITY MOVING SOUTHBOUND ALONG HIS ROUTE. SEVERE TURBULENCE & ICING HAD BEEN REPORTED JUST TO THE NORTH OF HIS COURSE. HE FILED A VFR FLT PLAN & TOOK OFF AT 0730. AT 0931, THE PLT CONTACTED ARTCC. HE SAID HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO CONTINUE VFR TO HIS DESTN &REQUESTED VECTORS TO BILLINGS, MT, TO AWAIT WX IMPROVEMENT. AT 0935, BEFORE VECTORS WERE ISSUED, THE PLT CANCELED HIS REQUEST SAYING HE WOULD NOT NEED THE VECTORS AS THERE WERE 'BIG HOLES . . . BELOW US NOW.'  SHORTLY THEREAFTER, RADIO & RADAR CONTACT WERE LOST. A SEARCH WAS INITIATED, BUT THE ACFT WAS NOT LOCATED UNTIL 10 DAYS LATER. IT HAD CRASHED INTO THE WALL OF A LARGE CANYON IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN NEAR THE POINT WHERE RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. A PLT, WHO WAS DRIVING IN THE AREA, REPORTED THE SKY WAS OBSCURED WITH 1/4 MI VIS, BUT FURTHER SOUTH, THE WX IMPROVED TO UNLIMITED VIS & A CEILING OF 2000 TO 3000'. THE PLT'S LOG WAS NOT FND, BUT ON 1/26/84, HE RPRTD A TOTAL TIME OF 400 HRS ON AN APPLICATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8475H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8475H-1993-03-19), registration cancelled 1993-03-19, S/N D-8236, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35
- Registry model: [Beech V35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35) (registry code 1151538) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-8236
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-D 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fox Farm Investment
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 10, 1984
- Departed: 6S5, HAMILTON, MT
- Destination: BDX, BROADUS, MT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 45 °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 19851003051219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851003051219A), Oct 3, 1985: Beech V35, Bridger, MT, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Left wing contacted rocky mountainous terrain in IFR conditions. VFR flight was not recommended. No oxygen used.

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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