# NTSB MIA85FA077: Beech A36TC, N3872D, Boca Raton, FL, January 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1985, 18:37 local (23:37 UTC)
- Place: Boca Raton, FL
- Coordinates: 26.339712, -80.080841 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.3397&lon=-80.0808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31223
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31223/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA077

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training(emergency procedure(s)), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A STEEP UNCONTROLLED DESCENT SHORTLY AFTER THE ENG LOST POWER DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS SEEN DEPARTING ON RWY 4 AFTER WHICH IT CLIMBED TO 200 FT AGL (APRX). THE ENG WAS HEARD SPUTTERING BUT STILL RUNNING. THE ACFT ENTERED A 90 DEGREE BANK TO THE LEFT & STARTED TO DESCEND. NO FURTHER ENG SOUNDS WERE HEARD DURING THE BANKING MANEUVER. THE ACFT DESCENDED BEHIND TREES AND A LOUD CRASH WAS FOLLOWED BY BILLOWING SMOKE. THE PLT WAS PRONOUNCED, BY FLORIDA DIST 15 MEDICAL EXAMINER, TO HAVE DIED OF A IMPACT FORCES. NO MECHANICAL REASONS FOR THE ENG SPUTTERING COULD BE FOUND ROTATION AT IMPACT. THE COCKPIT INSTRUMENTATION AND ENG CONTROLS WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE TO PRECLUDE THEIR USE IN DETERMINATION OF CAUSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3872D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36TC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: EA-226
- Airframe hours: 616
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bonair Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 1984, 10 hours before
- Departed: BCT, BOCA RATON, FL
- Destination: OPF, OPA-LOCKA, FL
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 11,200 total, 2 in this make and model, 11,100 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLL, 15 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 19850111000539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850111000539A), Jan 11, 1985: Beech A36TC, Boca Raton, FL, Destroyed. After takeoff at night,engine sputtered, aircraft banked and impacted ground. No mechanical malfunctions found.

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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