# NTSB WPR11LA315: Beech V35B, N1735W, Oljato, UT, July 7, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 2011, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Oljato, UT - Coordinates: 37.251667, -110.290557 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2517&lon=-110.2906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 29, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81037 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA315 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81037/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81037 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA315 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to follow the airplane manufacturer’s mixture setting guidance while landing in high density altitude conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech V35B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=1151548), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Engine controls: mixture control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057602): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech V35B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057602/cases.md?model=1151548), [All aircraft, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057602/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Beech V35B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=1151548), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech V35B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=1151548), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane was on short final approach with the landing gear down when he noted that he was mistakenly attempting to land at an abandoned airport that was not suitable for landing but was near his planned destination. He initiated a go-around; however, the airplane did not climb and subsequently stalled about 5 feet above ground level and collided with the terrain. The pilot stated that he had the mixture in the full rich position. He stated his belief that the engine did not respond to the request for power as the mixture was too rich for the high density altitude (8,000 feet). The manufacturer’s guidance advises pilots to set the mixture control to the full rich position, or as required by field elevation. If the mixture had been appropriately set for the high density altitude conditions, the engine likely would have had adequate power for a successful go-around. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 2011, about 1600 mountain daylight time, a Beech V35B, N1735W, collided with terrain at Oljato/Monument Valley, Utah. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage from impact forces. The personal cross-country flight departed Seligman, Arizona, about 1400, with a planned destination of Monument Valley Airport (UT25). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated that the airplane was on short final approach with the landing gear down. He noted that the airport was not suitable for landing. He was mistakenly attempting to land at an abandoned airport (Oljato 05UT) that was near his planned destination. He initiated a go-around; however, he felt that he did not get the power he needed as the airplane did not climb. It stalled about 5 feet above ground level, and collided with the terrain. The landing gear collapsed, and the bottom of the airframe sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that he had the mixture in the full rich position. He opined that the engine did not respond to the request for power as the mixture was too rich for the high density altitude (8,000 feet). He had taken a mountain flying course prior to starting his trip, but no one had mentioned keeping the mixture lean in case of a go-around. The pilot operating handbook for the airplane discusses normal procedures. The Before Landing checklist instructs the pilot to land with the mixture in the rich position (or as required by field elevation). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1735W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1735W-2012-10-23), registration cancelled 2012-10-23, S/N D-9402, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH V35B - Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-9402 - Airframe hours: 3300 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Adaptive Aero Inc - Registered owner: Adaptive Aero Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 2011 - Departed: P23, Seligman, AZ - Destination: UT25, Monument Valley, UT - Airport: Oljato ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 18, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 598 in this make and model, 720 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KPGA ## 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 20110707015199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110707015199A), Jul 7, 2011: Beech V35B, Oljato, UT, Substantial damage. Pilot's intended destination was monument valley, UT25. However, upon arrival in the area he began a landing at a nearby small strip, Oljato 05UT, which is in… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 15, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81037. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40395423&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.