Beechcraft V35B accident near Selma, CA
On January 18, 2008, a Beechcraft V35B (airplane) was involved in an accident near Selma, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- January 18, 2008
- Place
- Selma, CA
- Aircraft
- Beechcraft V35B · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 36.565°N, 119.724°W
- NTSB ID
- 20080123X00098
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On January 18, 2008, approximately 1400 Pacific standard time, a Beechcraft V35B, N4662M, broke up in flight over a vineyard, 5.7 miles west of Selma, California. The airplane was operated by the owner under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91. The commercial pilot was killed, and the airplane was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight plan had been filed. The personal flight originated at Fresno Chandler Executive Airport, Fresno, California, around 1350. A witness reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge that he heard a loud screaming noise overhead. When he looked up he observed an airplane suddenly "disintegrate," and described the wings and fuselage floating to the ground. The wreckage was located in a vineyard, and was dispersed along a 1,541-foot distance in a north-south orientation. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Controllers reported that the pilot requested a frequency change while climbing to his assigned altitude (9,000 feet msl), and when the airplane was around 7,000 feet (msl) radar contact with the airplane was lost. No other radio communications with the pilot were reported. Radar data files from the Fresno Terminal Area Radar Control (TRACON) were obtained and the track associated with the transponder code of 3701 was plotted. The track begins at time 1352:18 off of Fresno Chandler Executive Airport in a northwest direction at a reported altitude of 500 feet. The track proceeds to turn from a northwest direction to a
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control resulting in the in-flight break-up of the airplane due to aerodynamic overload. Contributing factors included the pilot's impairment due to multiple medical conditions and due to recent use of alcohol.
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Browse: California
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
