# NTSB MKC84FA174: Beech C35, N335W, Broken Bow, NE, June 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1984, 15:34 local (20:34 UTC)
- Place: Broken Bow, NE
- Coordinates: 41.399429, -99.630912 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3994&lon=-99.6309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33533
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33533/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA174

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

WHILE ON AN IFR FLT AT 6000 FT, THE PLT REQUESTED, AND WAS GRANTED A DEVIATION AROUND WX. LATER, N335W INFORMED DENVER ARTCC THAT THEY WERE GOING TO GET INTO SOME MODERATE TURBULENCE FOR A LITTLE BIT BUT THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. THE ACFT DISAPPEARED FROM THE DENVER ARTCC RADAR. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED SPREAD OVER AN AREA APPROXIMATELY 1 MI BY 1/4 MI. THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY MALFUNCTION OF THE ENG OR ACFT COMPONENT AND THE PATHOLOGICAL/TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE PLT ALSO WERE NEGATIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N335W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N335W-1989-07-26), registration cancelled 1989-07-26, S/N D2853 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C35
- Registry model: [Beech C35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c35) (registry code 1151508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D2853
- Airframe hours: 6460
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arthur D. Crocker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 1983, 102 hours before
- Departed: DSM, DES MOINES, IA
- Destination: AIA, ALLIANCE, NE
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 25 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BBW, 9 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 19840617024449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840617024449A), Jun 17, 1984: Beech 35BEECH, Broken Bow, NE, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into area of thunderstorms and turbulence, inflight airframe failure. Center of gravity aft of limit.

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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