# NTSB SEA93FA002: Beech N35, N885R, Burlington, WA, October 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1992, 15:53 local (22:53 UTC)
- Place: Burlington, WA
- Coordinates: 48.529094, -122.309234 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5291&lon=-122.3092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93FA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42921/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93FA002

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF SCREWS ON THE PROPELLER HUB DURING TAKEOFF, THE IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION BY THE PILOT TO RETURN FOR LANDING, AND THE STEEP, EXCESSIVE BANK ANGLE WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/SPIN AND LOSS OF CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - propeller system/accessories,hub - failure,partial (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT MADE LOUD RHYTHMIC NOISES DURING TAKEOFF.  IT REACHED THE END OF THE RUNWAY AT A LOW ALTITUDE ABOVE THE GROUND IN AN INITIAL CLIMB WHEN THE ENGINE SOUNDS DECREASED, THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED AND THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A STEEP TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT.  THE NOSE DROPPED DURING THE TURN, AND THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED NOSE DOWN, IMPACTED THE GROUND AND IGNITED IN FLAMES.  EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED A PARTIALLY SEPARATED PROPELLER CYLINDER HUB BALANCE RING.  EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER REVEALED ONE CYLINDER MOUNTING SCREW WAS MISSING AND FOUR MOUNTING SCREWS CONTAINED FATIGUE CRACKING.  THERE WAS A CLEARED AREA OFF THE END OF THE TAKEOFF RUNWAY AND A LARGE, LEVEL PASTURE BEYOND THE CLEARED AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N885R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N885R-1993-03-31), registration cancelled 1993-03-31, S/N D6618 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH N35
- Registry model: [Beech N35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-n35) (registry code 1151528) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D6618
- Airframe hours: 4732
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-N1B 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aeronautical Services, Inc.
- Registered owner: F.L. & Marilyn Krabbe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 13, 1992, 53 hours before
- Destination: FRIDAY HARBOR, WA
- Airport: 75S, Skagit Regional, runway 1, 5,475 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19921002040019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921002040019A), Oct 2, 1992: Beech N35, Burlington/Mt V, WA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Runaway prop on initial climbout. Stalled trying to turn back. Open fields in area. Prop ring screws separated.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.