# NTSB FTW88DQG03: Beech G35, N313B, Friona, TX, January 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 26, 1988, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Friona, TX
- Coordinates: 34.629829, -102.719314 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6298&lon=-102.7193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22467
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DQG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22467/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DQG03

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, other
  - electrical system,battery - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,ignition switch - failure,partial (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear down and locked - not attained
  - landing gear,emergency extension assembly - not engaged (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - submerged object

## Analysis

AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON THE LANDING STRIP, THE LEFT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED, AND THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STRIP. THE AIRPLANE WENT INTO A WATER PIT, AND STRUCK A PUMP STATION AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. LATER THE PILOT STATED TO HIS SON THAT HE HAD NOT BEEN FEELING WELL DURING THE FLIGHT, AND ALSO THAT THE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT HAD NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY. HE SAID HE COULD NOT GET A DOWN AND LOCKED INDICATION FOR THE LANDING GEAR, BUT HAD NOT USED THE EMERGENCY EXTENSION SYSTEM. DURING THE POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, AND THAT THERE WAS AN INTERCONNECT BETWEEN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE BATTERY SWITCH. THE BATTERY WOULD NOT BECOME OPERATIONAL AFTER THE BATTERY SWITCH WAS TURNED ON, UNTIL THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS 'WIGGLED'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N313B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N313B-1991-04-29), registration cancelled 1991-04-29, S/N D4767 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH G35
- Registry model: [Beech G35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-g35) (registry code 1151516) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-4767
- Airframe hours: 3281
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joe W. Lewellen
- Registered owner: Joe W Lewellen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1987, 35 hours before
- Departed: SWW, SWEETWATER, TX
- Destination: Q54, FRIONA, TX
- Airport: NONE, Lewellen Spraying, runway 23, 3,800 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,909 total, 680 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AMA, 60 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 19880126001809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880126001809A), Jan 26, 1988: Beech G35, Friona, TX, Substantial damage. Bad ignition switch and unsafe gear light. Hit pump station as gear collapse landing. Did not use manual extension.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.