# NTSB FTW96LA169: Beech E35, N3295C, Albuquerque, NM, April 14, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 14, 1996, 14:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Location: 35.0845° N, 106.6511° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Albuquerque, NM, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0845&lon=-106.6511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19803 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19803/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA169 ## Probable cause a partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to abort the takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - roll/run - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - other ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, the pilot 'noticed a flat spot in the power' as he opened the throttle. He also 'noticed the rpm was 2400 rpm' instead of the expected 2500 rpm; however, he elected to continue the takeoff. During the initial climb after takeoff, 'the aircraft started to settle.' Since there was now 'insufficient remaining runway to attempt to abort,' the pilot turned 90 degrees left intending to land on a dirt road. The airplane touched down beside the road, struck 'a piece of concrete debris,' and came to rest on the road. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On April 14, 1996, at 1410 mountain daylight time, a Beech E35, N3295C, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following an engine power loss on takeoff near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and the passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local personal flight was originating from the Coronado Airport at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll on runway 17, he "noticed a flat spot in the power" as he opened the throttle. He verified that the propeller was set "for fine pitch" and "noticed the rpm showed 2400 rpm" instead of the expected 2500 rpm. At an airspeed of 80 mph, the pilot "rotated into a climb." After retracting the landing gear, he "felt the climb cease and the aircraft started to settle." Since there was "insufficient remaining runway to attempt to abort," the pilot turned left intending to land gear-up on an east/west dirt road south of the airport. The airplane touched down south of the road, the left wing struck "a piece of concrete debris which turned the aircraft 90 degrees to the left and caused the aircraft to settle on the road." A field inspection of the airplane and engine was conducted by FAA personnel. The inspection revealed that the fuselage was distorted. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3295C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3295C-2000-06-30), registration cancelled 2000-06-30, S/N D3962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech E35 - Registry model: [Beech E35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e35) (registry code 1151512) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-3962 - Airframe hours: 4674 - Engines: Continental E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sandy W. Thompson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 1996, 16 hours before - Departed: 4AC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 680 total, 191 in this make and model, 628 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 2 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 19960414007189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960414007189A), Apr 14, 1996: Beech E35, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Reported lacked 100 RPM on takeoff. Settled. Tried for road gear up but crashed short. No engine defects found. 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.