# NTSB MIA85FA159: Beech C35, N1967D, Tampa, FL, April 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1985, 07:25 local (12:25 UTC)
- Place: Tampa, FL
- Coordinates: 28.000722, -82.380859 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0007&lon=-82.3809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31242
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31242/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA159

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT TAKEOFF ON RWY 36 IN FOGGY CONDITIONS. THEY REPORTED THAT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT PITCHED UP & ROLLED INTO A STEEP LEFT BANK, THEN ENTERED A DESCENT & CRASHED ON AN APRX HEADING OF 060 DEG.  IMPACT OCCURRED ABOUT 1/2 MI NNW FROM THE CENTER OF THE ARPT (NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 36). NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. ABOUT 8 MI WEST AT TAMPA, FL, THE 0750 WX WAS IN PART: 25,000 FT SCATTERED, VISIBILITY 1-1/2 MI WITH FOG. WITNESSES AT THE ACCIDENT SITE ESTIMATED THE VISIBILITY WAS 1/2 MI WITH FOG. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT HAD LOGGED ONLY 4.3 HRS OF HOODED FLT TIME & NO ACTUAL INSTRUMENT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1967D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1967D-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N D-3251, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C35
- Registry model: [Beech C35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c35) (registry code 1151508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-3251
- Airframe hours: 1077
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Etheus D. Mcgowan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 20, 1985, 13 hours before
- Departed: X16
- Destination: FMY, FT. MYERS, FL
- Airport: X16, Vandenberg, runway 36, 3,260 × 65 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 829 total, 150 in this make and model, 768 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 8 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 19850427015789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850427015789A), Apr 27, 1985: Beech C35BEECH, Tampa, FL, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Aircraft took off in IFR conditions and spun in while nearing fog bank. Non IFR rated pilot. Aircraft burned.

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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