Beechcraft 35 N501B

Summary

On 9 January 2005 at about 03:02 local time, a Beechcraft 35 registered N501B was involved in an accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 January 2005 at 03:02

Classification

Accident

Location

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Nearest airport

Sky Cox Airport (TN98)

Coordinates

35.8861, -83.9772

Aircraft

Beechcraft 35

Registration

N501B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Knoxville → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

ATL05LA042

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance, which resulted in the in-flight collision with trees. A factor was dark night.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses reported hearing the engine running as the airplane flew overhead followed by a loud "thump." The airplane collided with trees approximately 2/3 mile from the approach end of the north runway. The airplane came to rest in the trees, 40 to 50 feet above the ground in an upright and nose low attitude. Examination of the accident site disclosed that wreckage debris was scattered over an area 300 feet long on a 40 degrees magnetic heading. The post-accident examination of the airframe and engine failed to disclose any mechanical problems or component failures.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.