# NTSB NYC90LA141: Beech BE-35, N67990, Lawrence, MA, June 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1990, 11:56 local (15:56 UTC)
- Place: Lawrence, MA
- Location: 42.7170° N, 71.1235° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAWRENCE MUNI (LWM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7170&lon=-71.1235&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36672
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36672/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA141

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WITH AN OPEN DOOR. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND THE DOOR OPENING AT LIFTOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - door - open (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF WHEN THE MAIN CABIN DOOR OPENED AT ROTATION. THE PILOT SAID HE LOST ENGINE POWER DURING HIS RETURN TO THE AIRPORT AND LANDED IN A FIELD. THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED BY A POST-CRASH FIRE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE BY THE FAA FOUND NO EVIDENCE FOR THE REPORTED POWER LOSS; THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN SATISFACTORILY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67990](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67990-1991-05-17), registration cancelled 1991-05-17, S/N E2118 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH BE-35
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E2118
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-550B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edward Bigham, Jr.
- Destination: BED, BEDFORD, MA
- Airport: LWM, Lawrence Muni., runway 5, 4,997 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 988 total, 226 in this make and model, 759 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900629023099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900629023099A), Jun 29, 1990: Beech A36, Lawrence, MA, Destroyed. Door came open on liftoff. Tried go around,lost power at 300 ft,crashed and burned off end of airport.

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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