# NTSB GAA16CA173: Beech F35, N4212B, Long Island, NC, March 30, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 30, 2016, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Long Island, NC - Coordinates: 35.65361, -80.959724 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6536&lon=-80.9597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Charlotte FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 92945 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92945/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92945 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA173 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to maneuver at low altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines and substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech F35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1151514), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech F35, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1151514), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Beech F35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1151514), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech F35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1151514), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech F35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151514), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the initial climb, he leveled off at about 65 feet above the ground and made a right turn to follow a river. After maneuvering down the river for about one minute, the airplane struck uncharted and unmarked power lines that spanned across the entire length of the river. He reported that the impact from the power lines cracked the windscreen and damaged the vertical stabilizer, but aircraft control was not affected and he was able to continue to the destination airport about 3 nautical miles away. The pilot further reported that he never saw the power lines that the airplane impacted, but he did observe larger charted power lines about one mile ahead. The left vertical stabilizer was substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the initial climb, he leveled off at about 65 feet above the ground and made a right turn to follow a river. After maneuvering down the river for about one minute, the airplane struck uncharted and unmarked power lines that spanned across the entire length of the river. He reported that the impact from the power lines cracked the windscreen and damaged the vertical stabilizer, but aircraft control was not affected and he was able to continue to the destination airport about 3 nautical miles away. The pilot further reported that he never saw the power lines that the airplane impacted, but he did observe larger charted power lines about one mile ahead. The left vertical stabilizer was substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4212B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4212B-2017-12-29), registration cancelled 2017-12-29, S/N D-4157, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH F35 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Beech F35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f35) (registry code 1151514) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-4157 - Year built: 1955 - Airframe hours: 7068.7 - Engines: Continental E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 2016 - Departed: NC26, Long Island, NC - Destination: 14A, MOORESVILLE, NC - Airport: NC26, Long Island, runway 05, 3,000 × 100 ft - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 26, 2016; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 28,341 total, 4,062 in this make and model, 13,950 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KSVH, 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 20160330002329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160330002329A), Mar 30, 2016: Beech F35, Long Island, NC, Substantial damage. On March 30, 2016 at approximately 1700 local time N4212B, a v-tail Beechcraft bonanza F35, departed Long Island, NC (NC26) from runway 5. The pilot in command… ## Other investigations on N4212B (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW71DRG32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71DRG32), Oct 6, 1970: Beech F35 (N4212B), San Antonio, TX, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 9, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92945. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 911 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439856&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439857&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 3 photos, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439858&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.