Loss of Control in Flight: Beech V35 Bonanza, N5624S; accident occurred October 28, 2018 at Murfreesboro Municipal Airport (KMBT), Rutherford County, Tennessee

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Nashville, Tennessee

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N5624S

Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Accident Number: ERA19LA028
Date & Time: 10/28/2018, 1210 CDT
Registration: N5624S
Aircraft: Beech V35
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On October 28, 2018, about 1210 central daylight time, a Beech V35, N5624S, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees while maneuvering at low altitude near Murfreesboro Municipal Airport (MBT), Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was privately owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight that originated from Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport (GKT), Sevierville, Tennessee, about 1000.

The pilot reported that he attempted to extend the landing gear while in the airport traffic pattern at MBT. He then noticed that the green cockpit indicator was not illuminated and manually extended the landing gear. The pilot subsequently requested that personnel on the ground confirm that the landing gear was extended and he performed a low pass over runway 18. The pilot was told that the landing gear were not extended, so he attempted a go-around, but was "sucked down" into trees by a very strong wind. Other than a possible electrical issue, the pilot reported that there were no other preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airframe or engine.

A witness stated that he and a friend were in the MBT airport terminal building when they heard the pilot announce on the common traffic advisory frequency that his airplane was having "amperage" issues and he might be performing a landing with no radios. The pilot then asked if the witness could visually confirm that the landing gear was extended. The witness agreed and went to a taxiway with a handheld radio while the pilot performed a low pass over runway 18. The witness reported to the pilot that the landing gear was only partially extended. The airplane then proceeded beyond the departure end of the runway, losing altitude, looked like it stalled and descended into trees.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to both wings and the fuselage. The inspector noted that the alternator switch was in the off position.

The recorded weather at MBT, at 1215, included wind from 210° at 14 knots, gusting to 19 knots, and a clear sky.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 79, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/07/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/01/2017
Flight Time:  2208 hours (Total, all aircraft), ____ hours (Total, this make and model), 7 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Beech
Registration: N5624S
Model/Series: V35 UNDESIGNATED
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1966
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: D-8168
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/27/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 2 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4603 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C91  installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: IO-520
Registered Owner: Kin-Air Inc
Rated Power: 285 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: MBT, 614 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1215 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 360°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  9 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 14 knots / 19 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 210°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.92 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C / 13°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Sevierville, TN (GKT)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Murfreesboro, TN (MBT)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1000 CDT
Type of Airspace:

Airport Information

Airport: Murfreesboro Municipal Airport (MBT)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 614 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 18
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4753 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude:  35.878611, -86.377500 (est)