Beechcraft S35 N7972K

Summary

On 2 August 1989 at about 15:30 local time, a Beechcraft S35 registered N7972K, operated by John D. Williams, was involved in an accident near Lindon, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 August 1989 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Lindon, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Linden Price (9G2)

Coordinates

42.8103, -83.7795

Aircraft

Beechcraft S35

Registration

N7972K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

John D. Williams

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Flint

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI89LA158

Nobody was injured.

THE RESTRICTED MOVEMENT OF THE RUDDERVATOR CONTROL DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE RAN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLAPSED THE NOSE LANDING GEAR WHILE ABORTING A TAKEOFF ROLL. AIRSPEED AT THE TIME OF THE ABORT WAS GREATER THAN 80 KNOTS AND THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRPLANE IN THE RUNWAY REMAINING. THE PILOT STATED DURING A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW THAT HE FELT A RESISTANCE IN THE FLIGHT CONTROLS WHICH INCREASED AS THE AIRSPEED BECAME GREATER. HE DESCRIBED IT AS SOFT RESISTANCE RATHER THEN A MECHANICAL LOCK. THE FAA EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE AT THE ACCIDENT SITE BEFORE IT WAS MOVED. NO MECHANICAL REASON COULD BE FOUND TO EXPLAIN THE PILOTS REPORTED DIFFICULTY WITH THE FLIGHT CONTROLS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.