# NTSB SEA91FA110: Beech 35, N3842N, Harrison, ID, May 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1991, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Harrison, ID
- Coordinates: 47.53968, -116.700088 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5397&lon=-116.7001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41316
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41316/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA110

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PILOT.  THE TERRAIN CONDITION AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB FROM A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP, THE AIRPLANE WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB OVER RISING/WOODED TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES AND CRASHED.  THE RUNWAY SLOPED UPWARD TOWARD THE RISING TERRAIN; A DOWNWIND DEPARTURE WOULD HAVE BEEN OVER DESCENDING TERRAIN AND A LAKE.  ELEVATION OF THE AIRPORT WAS ABOUT 2700 FT; ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE (NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY) WAS ABOUT 3000 FT.  THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3842N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3842N-2012-09-21), registration cancelled 2012-09-21, S/N D-1079, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Registry model: [Beech 35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35) (registry code 1151502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-1079
- Airframe hours: 3781
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas O. Thompson
- Registered owner: Thomas O. Thompson
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1991, 41 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: Private Strip, runway 4, 3,000 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 215 total, 40 in this make and model, 154 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910520016709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910520016709A), May 20, 1991: Beech 35BEECH, Harrison, ID, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees on rising terrain on climbout. Runway not recommended for takeoff due rising terrain. Valves leaking.

## Other investigations on N3842N (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI77FEE34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FEE34), Jul 31, 1977: Beech 35 (N3842N), Morris, IL, substantial damage

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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