# NTSB SEA85FA051: Beech BE-35, N1560S, Verdi, NV, January 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 25, 1985, 18:20 local (Jan 26, 1985, 02:20 UTC)
- Place: Verdi, NV
- Coordinates: 39.509624, -119.990844 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5096&lon=-119.9908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40032
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40032/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA051

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - radio communications - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PILOT IMPACTED RISING TERRAIN WHILE DESCENDING INTO & THRU IFR WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING VFR FLIGHT. LOST VISUAL CONTACT W/GROUND AND BROKE OUT IN MOUNTAINS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1560S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH BE-35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-6991
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gene Bixby
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Q99, SAN JOSE, CA
- Destination: O04, CARSON CITY, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 750 total, 375 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO

## 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 19850125001449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850125001449A), Jan 25, 1985: Beech P35BEECH, Verdi, NV, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into rising terrain while in IFR conditions. Pilot not instrument rated. Aircraft destroyed on ground impact.

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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