# NTSB MIA88FA049: Beech K-35, N125LE, Crescent City, FL, December 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1987, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Crescent City, FL
- Location: 29.4283° N, 81.5149° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Crescent City, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4283&lon=-81.5149&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31997
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31997/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA049

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL ENGINE FAILURE AT LIFT OFF WITH 1/2 OF THE RUNWAY REMAINING IN FRONT OF HIM. THE PILOT THEN ATTEMPTED TO DO A 180 DEGREE TEARDROP BACK TO THE RUNWAY, STALLED AND CRASHED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N125LE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N125LE-1987-12-01), registration cancelled 1987-12-01, S/N D-6063, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH K-35
- Registry model: [Beech K35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-k35) (registry code 1151524) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-6063
- Airframe hours: 3092
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Classic Wings Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 1987, 91 hours before
- Departed: CRESCENT CITY, FL
- Airport: Eagle Nest Aeroborne, runway 18, 3,300 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 19,666 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 27 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 19871201068949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871201068949A), Dec 1, 1987: Beech K35, Crescent City, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine sputtered on takeoff. Attempted to return. Stalled and wing hit ground. Aircraft cartwheeled. Fuel contaminated

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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