# NTSB FTW96LA284: Beech B35, N8860A, Portales, NM, June 28, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 28, 1996, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Portales, NM - Coordinates: 34.180866, -103.340499 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1809&lon=-103.3405&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19890 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA284 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19890/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA284 ## Probable cause failure by maintenance personnel to perform proper maintenance on the aircraft during an annual inspection, and failure to comply with an airworthiness directive. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - v-tail stabilizer - bent - maintenance,adjustment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - maintenance,compliance with ad - not complied with, other maintenance personnel (cause) - maintenance,annual inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) ## Analysis While conducting a descent for landing at the destination airport, following a cross country flight, the pilot encountered what he described as 'high speed buffet.' Speed at the time was within the normal range. The pilot slowed the aircraft and the buffet discontinued. Following landing, the pilot inspected the aircraft and found the right stabilizer bent and twisted. Inspection of the aircraft revealed that the stabilizers were out of balance and that required maintenance had either not been performed or was improperly performed. An examination of the aircraft records revealed an airworthiness directive applicable to the BE-35 had not been complied with during the annual inspection performed approximately 11 hours prior to this flight. ## Factual narrative On June 28, 1996, at 1700 mountain daylight time, a Beech B-35, N8860A, sustained substantial damage during descent for landing at Portales, New Mexico. The airline transport certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this personal cross country flight operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed Albuquerque, New Mexico, at 1530. According to the pilot, he was in a descent passing through 8,000 feet above mean sea level (msl) at 170 miles per hour and approximately 800 to 1,000 feet per minute rate of descent in clear smooth conditions when he felt what appeared to be high speed buffet. He said he slowed about 10 knots and the buffet ceased. After landing, and upon inspecting the aircraft, he found the outer portion of the right ruddervator twisted and buckled. An examination of the aircraft was conducted by two FAA airworthiness inspectors assisted by an investigator from Beech Aircraft. A copy of the examination report, with photographs, conducted by Beech Aircraft and concurred with by the two FAA inspectors, is attached and provides details of the examination. The examination and review of aircraft records revealed that improper maintenance had been performed and that Airworthiness Directive AD-94-20-04 had not been properly complied with. An annual inspection had been performed on September 22, 1995, and approximately 11 flight hours was accumulated from the time the annual was performed until the accident occurred. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8860A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8860A), registered now, S/N D-2515, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech B35 - Registry model: [Beech B35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b35) (registry code 1151506) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D 2515 - Airframe hours: 6309 - Engines: Continental E-225 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David L. Williams - Registered owner: Gerald W. Crozier - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 1995, 11 hours before - Departed: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Destination: Q34 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,159 total, 25 in this make and model, 2,780 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 15 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg 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.