# NTSB LAX92LA252: Beech B-35, N8838A, Newhall, CA, March 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 28, 1992, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Newhall, CA
- Location: 34.3847° N, 118.5309° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Newhall, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3847&lon=-118.5309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27652
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA252
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27652/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA252

## Probable cause

IMPROPER RUDDERVATOR BALANCING THAT RESULTED IN RUDDERVATOR FLUTTER.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS INSUFFICIENT MAINTENANCE INFORMATION TO ASSURE THAT AD COMPLIANCE AND ELEVATOR BALANCING WAS PERFORMED, AND AN INADEQUATE ANNUAL INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT ASSURED PROPER MAINTENANCE COMPLIANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - maintenance,balancing - improper, unknown (cause)
  - flight control,ruddervator - flutter (cause)
  - maintenance,balancing - information insufficient, unknown (contributing factor)
  - fuselage,bulkhead - cracked
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - information insufficient, unknown (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE OWNER/PILOT AND AN INSTRUCTOR PILOT WERE DESCENDING THROUGH A HOLE IN AN OVERCAST AT 135 KNOTS.  THE V-TAIL DESIGNED AIRPLANE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED 4 VIOLENT PITCH OSCILLATIONS.  THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT, WHO WAS FLYING THE AIRPLANE, REDUCED AIRSPEED AND LEVELED THE WINGS.  THIS ACTION STOPPED THE PITCH OSCILLATIONS.  A POST FLIGHT INSPECTION REVEALED DAMAGE TO THE REAR FUSELAGE BULKHEAD, WRINKLING OF THE EMPENNAGE SKIN AND LOSS OF PAINT.  THE AIRPLANE DID NOT HAVE ANY PLACARDED AIRSPEED RESTRICTIONS OR A VERIFICATION OF PROPER WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS.  THE OWNER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY DOCUMENTATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE AD, OR OF PROPER BALANCING OF THE LEFT RUDDERVATOR THAT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY EXCHANGED AND INSTALLED. THE MANUFACTURER REPORTED THAT THE EMPENNAGE DAMAGE WAS TYPICAL OF RUDDERVATOR FLUTTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8838A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B-35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-2493
- Airframe hours: 3045
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-8 196 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Mager, Stuart
- Registered owner: Mager, Stuart
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1991, 44 hours before
- Departed: PRB, PASO ROBLES, CA
- Destination: WHP, PACOIMA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 23,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 22,800 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °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 19920328022099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920328022099A), Mar 28, 1992: Beech B35, Newhall, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft exceeded vne on descent. Top door latch opened. Rear empennage bulkhead cracked. AD not complied with.

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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