# NTSB FTW92FA024: Beech V35TC, N3GE, Jasper, TX, November 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1991, 03:57 local (09:57 UTC)
- Place: Jasper, TX
- Coordinates: 30.920318, -93.989158 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9203&lon=-93.9892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18341
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92FA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18341/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92FA024

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CONTINUE A NORMAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION.  A FACTOR WAS THE DARK NIGHT CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - tree(s)
  - climb - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED 75 FT HIGH TREES ABOUT 1/2 MI FROM THE END OF THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY IN A RIGHT WING LOW, NOSE LEVEL ATTITUDE.  FOLLOWING INITIAL IMPACT, THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED 850 FT THRU THE TREES.  THE PILOT HAD EXECUTED THE TAKEOFF IN DARK NIGHT VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS INTO AN AREA THAT WAS DEVOID OF ANY GROUND LIGHTS.  THE AIRPORT MANAGER TOOK OFF SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND SPOTTED THE FIRE.  HE REPORTED THE AREA SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT WAS VERY DARK DUE TO LACK OF GROUND LIGHTS AND THE CLOUDS OVERHEAD. AN INSTRUCTOR PILOT WHO HAD FLOWN WITH THE ACCIDENT PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD A HABIT OF MAKING FLAT DEPARTURES, SETTLING IN HIS TURNS AND REDUCING POWER SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF. ONE INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE 5 FT 7 INCH, 267 POUND PILOT HAD A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE CONTROL YOKE AND HIS STOMACH AND THAT HIS STOMACH CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE YOKE EVERY TIME HE LEANED FORWARD TO TUNE THE RADIOS OR RESET THE ENGINE POWER.  NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3GE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3GE-1997-03-04), registration cancelled 1997-03-04, S/N D8407 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35TC
- Registry model: [Beech V35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35) (registry code 1151538) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D8407
- Airframe hours: 4091
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-D 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Ward, John W.
- Registered owner: Ward, John W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 1991, 183 hours before
- Destination: SPH, SPRINGHILL, LA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: JAS, Jasper County, runway 18, 4,155 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,940 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,800 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LFT, 48 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 19911120052609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911120052609A), Nov 20, 1991: Beech V35TC, Jasper, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees off side of departure end runway. Dark night no lights. Had habit throttle back on climb than settle.

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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