Beech V35B accident near Alva, Oklahoma, November 4, 2017
On November 4, 2017 at about 10:28 pm local time, a 1973 Beech V35B, registered N777PH, was destroyed in an accident during approach near Alva, Oklahoma (Alva Rgnl airport). It was an instructional 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 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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 4, 2017 · about 10:28 pm local time
- Place
- Alva, Oklahoma · Alva Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech V35B, built 1973 · all V35Bs on the register
- Registration
- N777PH · no longer on the register · serial D-9544
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
What happened, in order
- Part(s) separation from AC during approach
- Miscellaneous/other during approach defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR pattern final)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Instructor/check pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Design
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent rate › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Understanding/comprehension › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Understanding/comprehension › Instructor/check pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › (general) › (general) › Inadequate inspection
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Instructor/check pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 11,456 hours in all; 1,302 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 231 hours in all; 1 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,927 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental Motors IO-520-BA10 (piston); 481 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: AVK Alva OK at 10:00 pm
- Destination: AVK Alva OK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 5,001 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 10:50 pm from KWDG, 48 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
16 documents, released by the NTSB on March 25, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.