Beech M35 accident near Chapel Hill, NC
On December 11, 1993, a Beech M35 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Chapel Hill, NC. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 11, 1993
- Place
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Aircraft
- Beech M35 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 35.920°N, 79.041°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X13818
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 11, 1993, at 1615 eastern standard time, a Beech M35, N9864R, was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during an emergency landing near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The private pilot and both passengers were fatally injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The flight departed Chapel Hill, North Carolina, about 1600, and the intended destination was Manteo, North Carolina. After take off from Chapel Hill, the pilot contacted the Raleigh North Carolina Approach Control and reported climbing under visual flight rules. The pilot reported his altitude as 2200 feet above mean sea level. Shortly after contacting the approach control, the pilot reported having engine trouble and stated that he was returning to Chapel Hill, which was west of his position. He later stated that he could not make the Chapel Hill Airport, and was landing in a field. The aircraft impacted the ground in a wooded area, just off the western edge of a large corn field. The aircraft fuselage was nearly consumed by a post crash fire. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Mr. Bertschinger held a private pilot certificate with airplane single engine land rating. He held a third class medical certificate issued on June 6, 1991. No pilot log books could be located for Mr. Bertschinger. Mr. Bertschinger's medical application, dated June 6, 1991, listed his total flight time as 280 hours. Additional personnel information
Probable cause
The improper engine overhaul by maintenance personnel. A factor in the accident was the failure of the engine crankshaft.
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Browse: North Carolina · Beech aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
