Beechcraft N35 N31TE

Summary

On 24 July 2005 at about 22:20 local time, a Beechcraft N35 registered N31TE was involved in an accident near West Jordan, Utah, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 July 2005 at 22:20

Classification

Accident

Location

West Jordan, Utah, United States

Nearest airport

Salt Lake City Muni 2 (U42)

Coordinates

40.6014, -111.9844

Aircraft

Beechcraft N35

Registration

N31TE

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

West Jordan → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN05FA114

3 people died.

the pilot's improper preflight planning, his attempted flight into adverse weather conditions, and the stall resulting in the loss of control and subsequent crash. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions, the airplane exceeding its gross weight limitations, and the dry microburst from thunderstorms located near the airport.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Prior to takeoff, the pilot obtained a weather briefing from the flight service station. Witnesses, who were located on the airport, reported that shortly after takeoff, the airplane was 150 feet agl and flying runway heading. The right wing was low, landing gear extended, and the nose in a climb attitude, but the airplane was not climbing. As the airplane approached the end of the runway, the airplane lost altitude and "was still mushing along." The right wing then rolled to an almost vertical attitude, the nose dropped, the airplane rolled to the left and impacted terrain. One witness stated there were no mechanical problems with the airplane and the engine sounded normal. The airplane was destroyed by postimpact fire. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was 126.2 lbs over gross weight at the time of the accident. Witnesses reported gusty wind conditions, thunderstorms in the area, and no precipitation. Weather data revealed environmental conditions that supported dry microburst activity at the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.