# NTSB OAK70D0021: Beech 35, N3731N, Lee Vining, CA, June 16, 1969

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: June 16, 1969
- Place: Lee Vining, CA · LEE VINING, CA
- Location: 37.9564° N, 119.1223° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lee Vining, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9564&lon=-119.1223&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 28, 1969
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 179731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK70D0021
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK70D0021

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1666  69/6/16    LEE VINING,CALIF    BEECH 35            CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 44, 221
        TIME - 1130                    N3731N              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 65 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           TURBULENCE                                               IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN AREAS OF SEVERE TURBULENCE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXCEEDED DESIGNED STRESS LIMITS OF AIRCRAFT
           AIRFRAME - WINGS: SKIN AND ATTACHMENTS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - BUCKLED
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - TURBULENCE, ASSOCIATED W/CLOUDS AND/OR THUNDERSTORMS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, IN PERSON
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AIRPORT
                                  SUSPECTED OR KNOWN AIRCRAFT DAMAGE
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                      1500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          NONE                                                     VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR
        REMARKS- PLT EXPERIENCED A TURBULENCE UPSET.DURING RECOVERY DID NOT REDUCE POWER,BOTH WINGS DAMAGED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3731N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3731N), registered now, S/N D-940, 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

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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