# NTSB LAX87LA252: Beech A35, N255B, Santa Rosa, CA, June 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1987, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Santa Rosa, CA
- Coordinates: 37.490482, -122.260986 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4905&lon=-122.2610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25625
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA252
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25625/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA252

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - flight control,ruddervator - flutter (cause)
  - maintenance,balancing - not maintained, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuselage - buckled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PARTICIPATING IN A CAFE-400 (COMPARATIVE ACFT FLT EFFICIENCY) CONTEST OVER A 400 MI, ROUND ROBIN COURSE. WHILE DSCNDG FM 7000' AT THE END OF THE FLT, THE PLT SLOWED THE ACFT TO 140 MPH TO OBSERVE TRAFFIC. WHEN CLEAR, HE INCREASED THE SPEED TO 160 MPH & BGN A 500 FPM DSCNT. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, HE DETECTED A VIBRATION THAT INCREASED IN INTENSITY, THEN NOTICED THE SPEED HAD INCREASED TO 188 MPH. THE PLT REDUCED PWR, & AS THE ACFT SLOWED, THE VIBRATION STOPPED. THE ACFT WAS LNDD WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. A POST FLT EXAM REVEALED THE AFT FUSELAGE WAS WRINKLED & BUCKLED IN A 3 FT AREA, JUST FWD OF THE MAIN SPAR BULKHEAD FOR THE V-TAIL. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF FLUTTER WHICH HAD RESULTED IN DYNAMIC OVERLOAD. AN INV REVEALED THE RUDDERVATORS WERE OUT OF BALANCE. THE ACFT WAS BEING OPERATED NR ITS MAX GROSS WT LIMIT WITH AN AFT LOADING, BUT IT WAS WITHIN THE WT & BALANCE LIMITS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N255B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N255B), registered now, S/N D-1570 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A35
- Registry model: [Beech A35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a35) (registry code 1151504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-1570
- Airframe hours: 6500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-B 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: George A. Loegering
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1986
- Departed: O01, SANTA ROSA, CA
- Airport: 001, Santa Rosa, runway 16, 7,000 × 200 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,100 total, 4,879 in this make and model, 4,980 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19870627032119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870627032119A), Jun 27, 1987: Beech A35, Santa Rosa, CA, Substantial damage. An aft bulkhead failed due to ruddervator flutter. Ruddervators found out of balance. Pilot exceeded vne.

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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