# NTSB MKC89LA187: Beech V35B, N699T, Concord, AR, August 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1989, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Concord, AR
- Coordinates: 35.65942, -91.840957 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6594&lon=-91.8410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34855
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34855/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA187

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS BY THE PILOT/OWNER WHICH RESULTED IN CHAFED WIRING AND A SUBSEQUENT ELECTRICAL FIRE.  THE UNEVEN TERRAIN WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - electrical system,electric wiring - chafed (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - fire (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT/OWNER SAID THAT WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 9000 FT MSL FOR 10,000 FT MSL, ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN, HE SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL ODOR. THE CABIN BEGAN TO FILL WITH DENSE SMOKE, SO HE SHUT OFF ALL ELECTRICAL SWITCHES. AN EMERGENCY DESCENT WAS MADE. DURING THE DESCENT, THE SMOKE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY CLEARED FROM THE CABIN. THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED BY USING EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. WHILE LANDING ON ROLLING TERRAIN, THE GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED. THERE WAS NO CONTINUATION OF FIRE ON THE GROUND. A POST-ACDNT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE OWNER HAD IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AN ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS, WHICH RUBBED ON THE NOISE SUPPRESSOR. AFTER IT RUBBED THRU THE INSULATION, AN ELECTRICAL FIRE ERUPTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N699T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N699T-2013-02-20), registration cancelled 2013-02-20, S/N D-9301, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35B
- Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 9301
- Airframe hours: 1250
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-B/BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Graebner, Walter D.
- Registered owner: Graebner, Walter D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: OLV, OLIVE BRANCH, MS
- Destination: ROG, ROGERS, AR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 17,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890818033169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890818033169A), Aug 18, 1989: Beech V35B, Batesville, AR, Substantial damage. Dense smoke on climb cleared by turning off master. Collapsed gear landing. Pilot had miswired alternator wire.

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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