# NTSB MKC87FA163: Beech 35, N3204V, Excelsior Spgs, MO, August 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1987, 20:30 local (Aug 18, 1987, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Excelsior Spgs, MO
- Coordinates: 39.349296, -94.229125 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3493&lon=-94.2291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34300
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87FA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34300/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA163

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - lubricating system,oil quickdrain/drain plug - not secured (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, other person (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - aircraft moving on ground
  - planned approach - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY OVER THE RADIO STATING THAT THE ENG WAS LOSING POWER AND THAT SHE WAS ATTEMPTING AN EMERG LNDG AT EXCELSIOR SPRINGS ARPT. THE PILOT STATED THAT SHE INITIATED A GO-AROUND, AFTER THE RWY WAS ASSURED, DUE TO THE INCURSION OF ANOTHER ACFT BACKTRACKING ON THE RWY, DIRECTLY IN HER PATH. OTHER WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT, EITHER BOUNCED OFF THE RWY SURFACE, OR ATTEMPTED A LOW PASS AT A SLOW AIRSPEED. IT THEN VEERED LEFT FROM OVER THE RWY, DRAGGING THE LEFT WING TIP OVER HIGH VEGETATION; THE ACFT THEN IMPACTED THE CULTIVATED SOIL, CARTWHEEL FASHION. EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO SUGGEST A POWERPLANT FAILURE DUE TO OIL STARVATION. THE ENGINE SUMP SHOWED THAT THE OIL QUICK-DRAIN FITTING WAS LOCKED IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE ENG HAD UNDERGONE AN OIL CHANGE JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. AN ENG TEARDOWN AT THE MANUFACTURER'S FACILITIES REVEALED THAT A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE HAD OCCURRED DUE TO A LACK OF INTERNAL ENG COMPONENT LUBRICATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3204V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3204V-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N D-641, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Registry model: [Beech 35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35) (registry code 1151502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-641
- Airframe hours: 5200
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen Ray Dickerson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1987, 50 hours before
- Departed: MO10, LIBERTY, MO
- Airport: 3EX, Excelsior Spring Mem., runway 19, 2,005 × 48 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 414 total, 158 in this make and model, 276 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKC, 22 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 19870817082779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870817082779A), Aug 17, 1987: Beech 35BEECH, Excelsior Sprin, MO, Destroyed. Lost power, oil pressure on location flight. Lost conrol landing when runway was blocked. Oil drain was left open.

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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