Beech V35B accident near Wilmington, North Carolina, September 4, 2015
On September 4, 2015 at about 2:50 pm local time, a 1976 Beech V35B, registered N789WF, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Wilmington, North Carolina (Wilmington Intl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper loading of the airplane, which resulted in a sudden pitch up during the attempted takeoff, the pilot’s subsequent loss of directional control, and an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 4, 2015 · about 2:50 pm local time
- Place
- Wilmington, North Carolina · Wilmington Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech V35B B, built 1976 · all V35Bs on the register
- Registration
- N789WF · no longer on the register · serial D-9956
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot private reported that he filled each of the fuel tanks and loaded the six seat, single-engine airplane with four occupants and baggage before attempting to depart on the cross-country personal flight. During the attempted takeoff, the airplane's nose pitched abruptly upward and turned left. The pilot continued the takeoff as the airplane departed the runway surface. The airplane then bounced several times, entered an aerodynamic stall, and subsequently struck the airport perimeter fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. After the accident, the pilot was unable to precisely account for the airplane's loading; an estimated calculation indicated that the airplane's total weight was well above, and that its center of gravity (CG) was well aft of, those specified by the airframe manufacturer and the provider of the aftermarket fuel tanks with which the airplane was equipped. Additionally, the elevator pitch trim was found set to a position that would have increased the airplane's tendency to pitch up, especially given its high weight and aft-located CG. The airplane's sudden pitch up during the takeoff roll was likely due to its improper loading and trim configuration, and its lateral departure (left turn) from the intended takeoff path was likely due to a known performance phenomena associated with single-engine airplanes operating at high power and low airspeed at takeoff.
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
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Maximum weight › Capability exceeded
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Weight/balance calculations › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › CG/weight distribution › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Loading › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Fence/fence post › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 397 hours in all; 34 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,745 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 31, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520 (piston); 5,745 hours total
- Operator: Western Flying Club INC
The flight
- Departed from: ILM Wilmington NC at 2:50 pm
- Destination: GNV Gainesville FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 06, 8,016 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from ILM
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on April 13, 2016. 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.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memorandum for Record - Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot's Statement 2 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Passenger Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Witness Interview Summaries (FAA) | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Airport Director Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Weight and Balance Forms | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Wreckage Diagram | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Photos (Courtesy of Ilm Ops) | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
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.