Beechcraft V35B N777PH

Summary

On 4 November 2017 at about 22:28 local time, a Beechcraft V35B registered N777PH was involved in an accident near Alva, Oklahoma, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 November 2017 at 22:28

Classification

Accident

Location

Alva, Oklahoma, United States

Nearest airport

Alva Rgnl (AVK)

Coordinates

36.7878, -98.6706

Aircraft

Beechcraft V35B

Registration

N777PH

Category

Airplane

Year built

1973

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Alva → Alva

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN18FA023

2 people died.

The flight instructor's and pilot's failure to recognize that a high descent rate had developed on short final, likely due to their distraction by an open engine cowling, and the unexpected strong pitch-down force during flap extension due to the installation in the airplane of a Short Takeoff and Landing system.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot had recently purchased the Bonanza airplane, which he and an experienced flight instructor were using to conduct his first training flight in a Bonanza. During a visual approach, the engine's left cowling opened. According to the pilot, who initially survived the accident, the flight instructor assumed control of the airplane. Based on video from home surveillance cameras, the descent rate for the approach increased to about 1,000 ft per minute about 100 ft above ground level. About 7 seconds later, the airplane impacted trees and a power line located 1/2 mile from the runway threshold. The airplane was one of three Bonanza airplanes modified with a Robertson Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) system. The flight characteristics for this modification included a strong pitch-down force while extending the flap from 15° to 30° position, which is greater than in Bonanzas without this STOL system. The investigation could not determine if the pilot or flight instructor was aware of this unique flight characteristic, which was not described in the STOL certification information. The pilot had compiled a list of airplane discrepancies, which included "cowling latch - pilot's side rear spring." It is likely a latch for the left engine cowling opened in flight because it was not properly secured during the preflight. The flight instructor and pilot were likely distracted by the open engine cowling and did not expect the strong pitch-down force during flap extension, which resulted in a high descent rate on short final.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.