# NTSB MIA86FA100: Beech D-35, N5968C, Crystal Springs, FL, March 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1986, 12:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Crystal Springs, FL
- Location: 28.1836° N, 82.1529° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Crystal Springs, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1836&lon=-82.1529&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31489
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86FA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31489/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA100

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall/spin - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THEY OBSERVED THE ACFT PERFORMING AEROBATICS WHILE AT AN ESTIMATED ALT OF 1000 TO 1300 FT. AFTER THE COMPLETION OF A LOOP, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO NEARLY COME TO A STOP WHILE VERTICAL, THEN FALL OFF TO THE LEFT & ENTER A SPIN WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT. NONE OF THE OCCUPANTS WORE PARACHUTES AS REQUIRED BY FAA REGULATIONS & A REVIEW OF THE PILOT'S FLT LOGBOOK REVEALED NO RECORD OF ANY AEROBATIC INSTRUCTION. ACCORDING TO THE ACFT MANUFACTURER, LOOPS & INTENTIONAL SPINS ARE PROHIBITED IN THIS ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5968C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5968C-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N D-3415, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D-35
- Registry model: [Beech D35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d35) (registry code 1151510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-3415
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-11 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dencil C. Boyce
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ZPH, ZEPHYRHILLS, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 375 total, 61 in this make and model, 287 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 12 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 26 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 19860318006969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860318006969A), Mar 18, 1986: Beech D35, Crystal Springs, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Was doing low altitude loops. Went into a vertical climb, then into a left spin to ground impact.

## Other investigations on N5968C (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI67F0577](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67F0577), Mar 6, 1967: Beech D35 (N5968C), Cadillac, MI, substantial damage

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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