# NTSB SEA89FA157: Beech C35, N5916C, Sandy, OR, August 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1989, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Sandy, OR
- Coordinates: 45.379375, -122.229095 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3794&lon=-122.2291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40933
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89FA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40933/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89FA157

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE SEPARATION OF THE BOLT CONNECTING THE THROTTLE ROD TO THE CARBURETOR THROTTLE ARM AND AN INADEQUATE ANNUAL INSPECTION PERFORMED 5 FLIGHT HOURS PRIOR TO THE OCCURRENCE. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE OBSTRUCTIONS IN AND AROUND THE ONLY OPEN FIELD AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - throttle/power lever,linkage - not safetied (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - poor, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - throttle/power lever,linkage - disconnected (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND CARTWHEELED. THE BOLT CONNECTING THE THROTTLE ARM TO THE THROTTLE ROD END WAS MISSING. A BOLT IDENTIFIED AS THE PROPER TYPE FOR THIS CONNECTION WAS FOUND LAYING AGAINST THE FIREWALL. THE BOLT IS SUPPOSDE TO BE SECURED WITH A CASTELLATED NUT AND A COTTER PIN. NEITHER THE NUT NOR THE COTTER PIN WAS FOUND. THE BOLT WAS NOT DAMAGED.AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED 5 FLIGHT HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE OPEN FIELD USED FOR THE FORCED LANDING IS SURROUNDED BY 100 FT TREES, WITH BARBED WIRE FENCES 300 TO 400 FT APART. INITIAL GROUND IMPACT MARK WAS LOCATED 64 INCHES FROM A FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5916C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5916C-1990-07-20), registration cancelled 1990-07-20, S/N D3276 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C35
- Registry model: [Beech C35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c35) (registry code 1151508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-3276
- Airframe hours: 3725
- Engines: Continental E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wesley, Greene S.
- Registered owner: Helm, John C
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 1989, 5 hours before
- Departed: 03S, SANDY, OR
- Destination: 7S3, HILLSBORO, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,894 total, 4,517 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX, 18 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 19890827031699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890827031699A), Aug 27, 1989: Beech C35BEECH, Sandy, OR, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Engine lost power on climbout. Aircraft stalled in slow speed turn to an open field. Throttle linkage bolt came off

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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