Beechcraft G35 N129B

Summary

On 6 October 1997 at about 18:30 local time, a Beechcraft G35 registered N129B was involved in an accident near Poplar Grove, Illinois, 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.

Date

6 October 1997 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Poplar Grove, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

42.3598, -88.8194

Aircraft

Beechcraft G35

Registration

N129B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Janesville → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI98FA017

Nobody was injured.

flutter for an undetermined reason, which resulted in structural damage to the aft fuselage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was cruising at 4,000 feet msl in clear sky conditions with smooth air, then he initiated a descent. He said that while descending through about 3,200 feet msl at 185 mph with a 5 degree nose down attitude and 15 degree left turn, the control yoke started oscillating fore and aft about 1/2 inch. The oscillations increased to about 1 inch fore and aft, and the airplane experienced 3 or 4 'solid jolts.' After about 5 seconds, the pilot reduced power, and the vibrations stopped. He continued to his destination and landed uneventfully. According to the Pilot Operating, the airplane's never exceed airspeed (Vne) was 202 mph. The maximum cruise airspeed (Vno), was 175 mph. Inspection of the airplane revealed that the aft fuselage received extensive damage between fuselage station (FS) 256.9 and the 233.5 bulkhead. The longerons were bent downward with a permanent 2.5 to 3 inch bend. The left and right side fuselage panels below the stabilizers exhibited 45 degree buckling from the bottom of the FS 256.9 bulkhead to forward of the stabilizer cuffs. The bottom fuselage panel forward of the 256.9 bulkhead had popped rivets and torn skin. There were three creases in the right stabilizer. No pre-existing cracks were found on the longerons. The ruddervators were properly balanced.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.