Undetermined · NTSB CEN17FA138
BEECH V35 — Union City, OK
| Date | March 24, 2017 |
| Location | Union City, OK |
| Aircraft | BEECH V35 |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Enroute-cruise Unknown or undetermined |
| Pilot age | 31 |
| Pilot total time | 287 hrs · Low time |
| Time in type | 20 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C
- Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Psychological-Mental/emotional state-(general)-Pilot
What happened
The pilot was on a local pleasure flight in a single-engine airplane. A witness reported seeing the airplane descending in a "spin" from a high altitude. The airplane impacted terrain and a post-crash fire ensued. A review of radar data showed the airplane's departure from a small airport on a north heading. The airplane reached an altitude of 5,500 ft, before it slowed down. The last radar return was about 9 minutes after the airplane departed and showed the airplane near the accident site at 5,250 ft and 73 knots. The post-crash fire consumed or thermally damaged most of the airplane. The extensive fire and impact damage limited the scope of the examination; however, no pre-impact abnormities were noted with the engine or airframe. The pilot's toxicology test was positive for an over-the-counter pain and an anti-depressant medication; neither medication is considered impairing. However, the possible effects of depression could not be determined from the available evidence. Weather conditions were favorable for the flight. The accident is consistent with the pilot not recovering from the spin; however, a reason for the initial loss of control could not be determined.