Beechcraft 35 N3081V
16 January 1991 · Walla Walla, Washington, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 16 January 1991 at about 22:00 local time, a Beechcraft 35 registered N3081V, operated by Libby, Stephen R., was involved in an accident near Walla Walla, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Walla Walla, Washington, United States
- Coordinates
- 46.1098, -118.2995
- Aircraft
- Beechcraft 35
- Registration
- N3081V
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Libby, Stephen R.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Lewiston → Walla Walla
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- SEA91FA261
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
IMPROPER STATIC BALANCE OF THE RUDDERVATORS FOLLOWING REBUILDING/REPAINTING, WHICH RESULTED IN EMPENNAGE FLUTTER. IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE TRIM TABS AND AN ENCOUNTER WITH TURBULENCE WERE RELATED FACTORS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PLT RPRTD THAT DRG DSCNT, AT ABOUT 150 KTS, TURBULENCE WAS ENCTRD & THE RUDDER PEDALS BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY ALONG WITH THE WHOLE ACFT, MAINLY THE EMPENNAGE. PULLING BACK ON THE CONTROL COLUMN & PUSHING ON THE RUDDER PEDALS CAUSED THE SHAKING TO SUBSIDE. A LANDING WAS MADE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. ALTHOUGH THE AFT FUSELAGE SKIN WAS WRINKLED, THE ACFT CONTINUED TO BE FLOWN FOR SVRL MONTHS. A SUBSEQUENT INSPN DISCLOSED THAT ALL 4 CORNERS OF THE AFT FUSELAGE BULKHEAD WERE CRACKED. THE STATIC BALANCE OF EACH RUDDERVATOR WAS MEASURED & FOUND TO BE EXCESSIVELY TAIL HEAVY. ALSO, BOTH RUDDERVATOR TRIM TABS HAD BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY, RESULTING IN FREE PLAY AT THE HINGE LINE. NO LEAD BALANCING WASHERS WERE FOUND IN EITHER RUDDERVATOR COUNTERWEIGHT HOUSING. THE THICKNESS OF PAINT ON THE RUDDERVATORS EXCEEDED THE MANUFACTURER'S FACTORY ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Beechcraft 35 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Jan 1991 | Beechcraft 35 | Arden, North Carolina, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 27 Sep 1991 | Beechcraft 35 | Cheswold, Delaware, United States | Clinton H. Leeland | Minor injuries | - |
| 18 Apr 1991 | Beechcraft 35-A33 | Vernon Hills, Illinois, United States | G & N Aircraft | No injuries | - |
| 4 Aug 1991 | Beechcraft 35A | Hager City, Wisconsin, United States | George P. Sweasy | Fatal | 1 |
| 13 Aug 1991 | Beechcraft 35-C33 | Dalhart, Texas, United States | Sky Riders | Fatal | 3 |
| 20 May 1991 | Beechcraft 35 | Harrison, Idaho, United States | Thomas O. Thompson | Fatal | 1 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 1991 | Bell BH-47G2A | Waitsburg, Washington, United States | Waitsburg Helicopter Service | No injuries | - |
| 6 Apr 1991 | Robinson R22 BETA | Kent, Washington, United States | Classic Helicopter | No injuries | - |
| 6 Apr 1991 | Grumman American AA-1C | Wenatchee, Washington, United States | James Q. Baxter | No injuries | - |
| 12 Apr 1991 | Aeronca 11AC | Port Orchard, Washington, United States | John D. Gracie | No injuries | - |
| 13 Apr 1991 | Cessna C-172N | Ellensburg, Washington, United States | Interwest Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 17 Apr 1991 | Grumman G-21A | Spokane, Washington, United States | Loel Fenwick | No injuries | - |