Pilot Debrief

BEECH B35 near Orange, TX — 2015-05-02

Final reportCEN15FA214
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Date
2015-05-02
Location
Orange, TX, USA
Aircraft
BEECH B35
Registration
N5176C
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The impact with power lines for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

Shortly after the private pilot and flight instructor took off on a local training flight several witnesses reported seeing the airplane's wings rocking back and forth just before the airplane struck power lines and then terrain. None of these witnesses reported hearing a loss of engine power. Neither of the pilots recalled the events leading up to the accident or the accident itself. Witness marks on the airplane and propeller were consistent with an impact with power lines. Signatures on the propeller were consistent with little to no engine power at the time of the impact with the power lines; however, investigators were unable to determine if the pilot reduced engine power, or if the engine lost power, before impact. An examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was determined to be 100 lbs over gross weight (about 2,751 lbs) at the time of takeoff. Calculations using the airplane's performance charts and the weather conditions that existed at the time of the accident indicated that the airplane had sufficient runway available to clear a 50-ft obstacle at a gross weight of 2,600 pounds. It is unknown how significantly the airplane's overweight condition would have impacted the airplane's climb performance.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff upon noticing aircraft instability.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

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