# NTSB MKC87LA123: Beech C35, N1931D, Spencer, IA, June 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1987, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Spencer, IA
- Coordinates: 43.140796, -95.149696 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1408&lon=-95.1497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34399
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34399/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA123

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause)
- Overrun, landing - roll
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING LDG, PIC FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND SWERVED OFF THE RWY. LDG GEAR COLLAPSED AND ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. WITNESSES SAID PLT AND PAX WERE BEHAVING IRRATIONALLY PRIOR TO LVF DEPARTURE APT. PIC LEFT THE SCENE OF ACCIDENT AND TWO DAYS TRANSPIRED BEFORE AUTHORITIES WERE NOTIFIED. THE PLT AND PAX WERE ARRESTED THE FOLLOWING WEEK FOR POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHENALIA AND DRUGS. AT THE TIME OF ARREST THE POLICE REPORTED THEY APPEARED TO BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS. THE PLT ADMITTED HE WAS A DRUG USER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1931D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1931D-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N D-3204, 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 E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D3204
- Airframe hours: 5289
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James S.Michelsen
- Registered owner: James S Michelsen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 1986, 11 hours before
- Departed: C85, BARABOO, WI
- Destination: SPW, SPENDER, IA
- Airport: SPW, Spencer, runway 30, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 491 total, 396 in this make and model, 419 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870607019139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870607019139A), Jun 7, 1987: Beech C35BEECH, Spencer, IA, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off the runway on landing and was abandoned. Suspect pilot was under the influence of narcotics

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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