# NTSB NYC85FA003: Beech V35, N4447V, Middletown, PA, October 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1984, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Middletown, PA
- Location: 40.2009° N, 76.7292° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Middletown, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB coordinates: 41.440513, -74.420616 (estimated), outside the stated state
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2009&lon=-76.7292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35784
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35784/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA003

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ABOUT 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE ACFT WAS FORCED LANDED IN A PASTURE DUE TO A LOSS OF POWER. THE PLT MADE REPAIRS TO THE AIRCRAFT & ATTEMPTED TO FLY OUT OF THE PASTURE. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE LEFT WING COME IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND DURING TAKEOFF, JUST PRIOR TO LIFTING OFF. THE ACFT BEGAN A SLIGHT CLIMB IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE & COMMENCED A LEFT TURN. THE NOSE THEN DROPPED DURING A STEEP LEFT BANK & THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4447V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-1261
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-11 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John R. Graham
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: N82, WURTSBORO, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SWF, 16 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 19841006076839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841006076839A), Oct 6, 1984: Beech 35BEECH, Middletown, NY, Destroyed. Left wing contacted ground prior to liftoff from pasture. Departure stall followed, struck tree, ground and burned.

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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