# NTSB LAX86LA323: Beech 35R, N3371V, Sun City West, AZ, August 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1986, 14:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Sun City West, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.600032, -112.280006 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6000&lon=-112.2800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25234
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA323
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25234/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA323

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - flight manuals - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall/mush - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A BEECHCRAFT BE-35R LOST ALT DURING INITIAL CLIMB AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE PLT DESCRIBED THE TAKEOFF AS NORMAL UNTIL HE REACHED AN ALT OF 100 TO 125 FT AGL AND STARTED TO TURN LEFT. THE PLT STATED, 'THE AIRCRAFT ACTED LIKE IT LOST ALL ITS LIFT.' INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS NO WEIGHT AND BALANCE RECORDS ONBOARD THE ACFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT WAS USING PERFORMANCE DATA FROM A 'C' MODEL BONANZA FLIGHT MANUAL. THE 'C' MODEL BONANZA IS EQUIPPED WITH A CONTINENTAL E-185-1 ENGINE THAT PRODUCES 205 HORSEPOWER WHERE AS THE CONTINENTAL E-185-1 INSTALLED IN THE ACFT ONLY PRODUCES 185 HORSEPOWER. THE PLT COMPUTED THE GROSS WEIGHT FOR TAKEOFF AS 2,683.4 LBS, 33 LBS OVER THE MAX GWT FOR THE ACFT. THE TEMP WAS REPORTED TO BE 106 DEGREES F AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE DENSITY ALT FOR THE 1,313 FOOT ELEVATION WAS COMPUTED AT 4,400 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3371V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3371V-2013-03-07), registration cancelled 2013-03-07, S/N D-838-R4, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35R
- Registry model: [Beech 35R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35r) (registry code 1151518) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-838-R4
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E185-1 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Carlson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1986, 90 hours before
- Departed: SUN CITY WEST, AZ
- Destination: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Airport: Hart, runway 25, 2,600 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 754 total, 718 in this make and model, 746 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 106 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 19 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 19860815040349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860815040349A), Aug 15, 1986: Beech 35R, Sun City West, AZ, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck the ground during climbout. Gross weight was above maximum and density altitude was high.

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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