# NTSB LAX85LA014: Beech B35, N8885A, Marble Canyon, AZ, October 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1984, 17:45 local (Oct 13, 1984, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Marble Canyon, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.740787, -111.84954 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7408&lon=-111.8495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24575
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24575/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA014

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy

## Analysis

PLT STATED WIND WAS FROM 220 DEG AT 5 KTS BUT AFTER TOUCHDOWN A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE RIGHT WING FORCING THE ACFT OFF RWY. PLT ADDED FULL PWR TO ABORT LANDING AND ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE. LEFT LANDTING GEAR CONTACTED A SAND DUNE. AS ACFT VEERED LEFT IT STALLED. A WITNESS STATED, WIND WAS BLOWING ACROSS THE RWY AT 15 TO 20 MPH FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT BOUNCED ON TOUCHDOWN, VEERED OFF THE RWY AND CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8885A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-2540
- Airframe hours: 4704
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-A 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daniel A. Eldredge
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 1983, 80 hours before
- Departed: P14, HOLBROOK MUNI, AZ
- Destination: AZ03, MARBLE CANYON, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: AZ03, Cliff Dwellers Lodge, runway 22, 3,555 × 40 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,095 total, 417 in this make and model, 1,082 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19841012057749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841012057749A), Oct 12, 1984: Beech B35, Marble Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. Hard landing and veered off runway. Tried to go around, gear hit sand dune. Aircraft came to rest beside runway.

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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