Beech H35 accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, March 16, 1989
On March 16, 1989 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Beech H35, registered N5403D, was substantially damaged in an accident near Knoxville, Tennessee. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE WITH A KNOWN MECHANICAL DEFECT IN THE ENGINE CARBURETOR/FUEL SUPPLY SYSTEM AS EVIDENCED BY THE PAST HISTORY OF ENGINE STOPPAGE DURING GROUND OPERATION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S PERFORMANCE OF UNAUTHORIZED MAINTENANCE ON THE AIRCRAFT AND ITS SYSTEM.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 16, 1989 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech H35 · all H35s on the register
- Registration
- N5403D · no longer on the register · serial D-4873
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PILOT/OWNER AND THE PAX HAD SPENT THE DAY INSTALLING AN AIR-OIL SEPARATOR KIT ON THE AIRPLANE. AFTER THE INSTALLATION BY THE TWO UNCERTIFICATED MECHANICS, THEY DEPARTED THE LOCAL ISLAND AIRPORT SOMETIME AFTER 1500 EDT. AT ABOUT 1605, THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO LAND ON THE RIVER SHORT OF THE AIRPORT SURFACE. BOTH OCCUPANTS EXITED THE AIRPLANE AND SWAM TOWARD SHORE. THE PILOT MADE IT TO SHORE BUT HIS PAX WAS HAVING PROBLEMS SO HE SWAM BACK OUT TO HELP. BOTH OCCUPANTS SANK IN THE 48 DEGREE WATER AND THEIR BODIES WERE RECOVERED LATER. AFTER RECOVERY, THE ENGINE WAS DRIED OUT AND A TEST RUN PERFORMED. SOME CONTAMINATION WAS FOUND IN THE PRESSURE CARBURETOR. THE ENGINE HAD A HISTORY OF STOPPING ON THE GROUND.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 815 hours in all; 12 in this make and model; 735 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,602 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 2, 1988; 66 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental O-470-G(1) (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: ovct at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:50 pm from TYS, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.