# NTSB FTW99LA188: Beech C35, N5BH, Jonesboro, AR, July 13, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 1999, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Jonesboro, AR - Location: 35.8423° N, 90.7043° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Jonesboro, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8423&lon=-90.7043&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 12, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46789 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA188 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46789/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA188 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors were the prevailing tailwind, and the airplane's over gross weight condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The airplane stalled immediately after rotation during a downwind takeoff from a 2,500 foot grass airstrip. The airplane impacted the ground in a nearly level attitude near the departure end of the airstrip, then the landing gear struck a ditch and collapsed. According to law enforcement personnel who responded to the accident site, there was a very large suitcase and a case of engine oil in the baggage compartment. The trooper estimated that the total weight of all four occupants exceeded 700 pounds. The IIC calculated that the airplane was 220 pounds over its maximum takeoff weight at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 1999, at 0845 central daylight time, a Beech C35 airplane, N5BH, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during takeoff from Marty's Classic Airstrip near Jonesboro, Arkansas. The instrument rated commercial pilot and his three passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Phillips Medical, Inc., of Jonesboro, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. A visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the non-stop, 387 nautical mile cross-country flight to Destin, Florida. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that during takeoff to the south from the 2,500 foot grass airstrip, "the airplane stalled right after rotation at about the runway's midpoint." The pilot added that the airplane impacted the ground in a nearly level attitude near the departure end of the airstrip, then the landing gear struck a ditch and collapsed. The airplane impacted a road embankment, became airborne briefly, traveled across State Highway 18, and came to rest facing the airport on the opposite side of the highway. Examination of the 1951 vintage airplane by the FAA inspector revealed structural damage to both wing spars. Additionally, the engine became partially separated from the airframe, and the landing gear and propeller were damaged. The airplane's 60-gallon fuel system was found to be full at the time of the accident. The cabin area of the airplane retained its structural integrity. According to law enforcement personnel who responded to the accident site, there was "a very large suitcase" and a case of engine oil in the baggage compartment. The trooper reported that he estimated that the total weight of all four occupants exceeded 700 pounds. The NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) calculated that the airplane's maximum takeoff weight of 2,700 pounds was exceeded by 220 pounds. In the enclosed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot's total flight time was listed as 2,000 hours of which 1,600 hours had been accumulated in military helicopters. According to FAA records, his last medical examination was completed on May 23, 1989. On the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he had completed a "military class II medical" on February 23, 1999. The winds at the Jonesboro Municipal Airport, located approximately 5 miles to the west of the accident site, were reported from 330 degrees at 6 knots. The airplane was departing to the south. The IIC calculated the density altitude at 1,183 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5BH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5BH-2002-02-07), registration cancelled 2002-02-07, S/N D-2731, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech C35 - Registry model: [Beech C35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c35) (registry code 1151508) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-2731 - Engines: Continental E-185-11 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William D. Phillips, Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: DTS, DESTIN, FL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: NONE, Classic Airstrip, runway 18, 2,500 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 175 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JBR, 5 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 19990713008929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990713008929A), Jul 13, 1999: Beech 35BEECH, Jonesboro, AR, Substantial damage. During takeoff to the south, rwy ended and acft hit rocks at end of rwy (grass strip), skipped over the ditch and highway, landed in the ditch on opposite side… 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.