- Date
- May 24, 1985, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place
- Spokane, WA
- Injuries
- 3 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N3778QBeech V35
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19850524020649A
- Case key
- 40046
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
After what appeared to be a normal takeoff and initial climb, witnesses observed the acft level off at about 200 ft AGL and some heard sounds of power cessation. Acft was oberved to commence a left turn during which the bank increased to an excessive angle. The acft pitched nose down and crashed in a gravel parking lot in an industrial area of the city. Investigation revealed the engine-driven fuel pump shaft had failed at the manufactured shear point due to binding of the pump blades against the bore. No foreign material was found in the bore but a small silver of black rubber was found on the pump relief valve poppet. Engine fuel hoses had been replaced prior to this flight. Boost pump switch found in 'off' position. Previous acft owned by plt had fuel boost pump switch located in different position in cockpit. Plt/owner at controls not medically certificated. PIC in rt seat not current in make/model.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N3778Q
- Reported as
- Beech V35
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- D8408
- Airframe hours
- 2,815
- Engine
- Continental IO-520, 285 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- John B. Mackay
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · July 5, 1984 · 103 hours before
- Departed
- SFF
- Destination
- YKA · Kamloops, OF
- Flight plan
- VFR
- Airport
- Unknown
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 66
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Right
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 2,380 total · 5 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility
- 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- 79 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter
- 27.00 inHg
- Observed at
- SFF, 25 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.