# NTSB SEA83LA181: Beech 35, N3038V, Decatur Island, WA, August 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1983, 16:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Decatur Island, WA
- Coordinates: 48.460685, -122.599113 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4607&lon=-122.5991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39756
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39756/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA181

## 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
  - climb - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
- Gear collapsed, takeoff - initial climb
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND DURING A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF ATTEMPT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT HE WAS USING 10 DEGREE OF FLAPS DURING A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF. THE ACFT YAWED TO THE LEFT & THE PILOT LOWERED THE NOSE TO REGAIN CONTROL. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE ACFT TURNED 100 DEGREES & STRUCK THE GROUND FROM ABOUT 15 TO 20 FT AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3038V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-444
- Airframe hours: 3388
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-8 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harold Wolfstone
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 4, 1983
- Departed: WA18, DECATUR ISLAND, WA
- Destination: 74S, ANACORTES, WA
- Airport: WA18, Decatur Shores, runway 15, 2,550 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,370 total, 48 in this make and model, 1,245 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLT, 20 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 19830820043149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830820043149A), Aug 20, 1983: Beech 35BEECH, Decatur Island, WA, Substantial damage. Made premature liftoff. Lost directional control. Veered off runway. Unable to climb. Struck a culvert off 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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