# NTSB SEA93FA031: Beech S35, N8634Q, Rexburg, ID, November 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 29, 1992, 18:51 local (Nov 30, 1992, 01:51 UTC)
- Place: Rexburg, ID
- Coordinates: 43.779285, -111.759429 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7793&lon=-111.7594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42928
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93FA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42928/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93FA031

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH OBJECTS/TERRAIN. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE LOW CEILINGS, SNOW, DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS, TREES, IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND SELF INDUCED PRESSURE.

## 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
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT FILED AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN AND WEATHER BRIEFED FOR A ROUND TRIP FLIGHT FROM PROVO, UTAH, TO REXBURG, IDAHO, AND RETURN. UPON ARRIVAL AT REXBURG THE PILOT'S SON (WHO DISEMBARKED WITH A SECOND PASSENGER) REQUESTED THAT HIS FATHER REMAIN OVERNIGHT. THE PILOT RESPONDED THAT THE PLANE WOULD BE TOO HARD TO START AND THAT HE HAD A CLASS TO TEACH IN THE MORNING. AFTER A BRIEF STOPOVER, THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED REXBURG AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE PILOT ACTIVATED HIS IFR FLIGHT PLAN FOR THE RETURN LEG. A CESSNA 310 WAS ON AN IFR APPROACH INTO REXBURG DURING THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. LOW CEILINGS AND SNOW WERE REPORTED AT THE REXBURG AIRPORT AND ACCIDENT SITE, AS WELL AS DARK NIGHT ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED TREES AT A POINT APPROXIMATELY 23 FEET ABOVE GROUND IN A WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. IT THEN IMPACTED THE GROUND SHEDDING APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES OF PROPELLER TIP BEFORE BECOMING AIRBORNE AGAIN, WHEREUPON IT IMPACTED POWER LINES AND THEN TERRAIN WITH ITS ENGINE ULTIMATELY COMING TO REST 1324 FEET BEYOND THE TREE IMPACTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8634Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8634Q-1998-04-30), registration cancelled 1998-04-30, S/N D7654 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH S35
- Registry model: [Beech S35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (registry code 1151532) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-7654
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA3B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Springville Flying Club
- Registered owner: Springville Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1992
- Destination: PVU, PROVO, UT
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 626 total, 560 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft broken
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IDA, 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 19921129048129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921129048129A), Nov 29, 1992: Beech S35, Rexburg, ID, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees and wires flying at night in low ceiling fog and snow. Windshield iced on landing prior to takeoff.

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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