# NTSB OAK78FA005: Beech E35, N3274C, Willows, CA, November 21, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 21, 1977
- Place: Willows, CA · WILLOWS, CA
- Location: 39.5148° N, 122.1992° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Willows, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5148&lon=-122.1992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 9, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 144702
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK78FA005
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78FA005

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3661  77/11/21 NR.WILLOWS,CA         BEECH E35           CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 24, 165
        TIME - 0030                    N3274C              PX-  3  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 110 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - WILLOWS-GLENN
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         WILLOWS,CA                   RIO VISTA,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - RAIN
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                 UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                      RAIN, SNOW
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3274C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3274C-1978-02-06), registration cancelled 1978-02-06, S/N D-3941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E35
- Registry model: [Beech E35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e35) (registry code 1151512) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Willows-Glenn

## 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 19771121038829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19771121038829A), Nov 21, 1977: Beech E35, Willows, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal

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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