Beech 35-B33 accident near Calamus, Iowa, May 21, 1985
On May 21, 1985 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Beech 35-B33, registered N3EM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Calamus, Iowa (Eastvold airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 21, 1985 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Calamus, Iowa · Eastvold · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 35-B33 · all 35-B33s on the register
- Registration
- N3EM · registry record · serial CD-508
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING ARRIVAL, THE PLT LANDED ON A 1700 FT TURF RWY WHICH SLOPED DOWNHILL TO THE NORTH & HAD A 30 FT POWER LINE LOCATED NEAR THE APCH END. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN 572 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE END, THEN CONTINUED OFF THE RWY & HIT A DIRT BANK NEXT TO A DRAINAGE DITCH. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS BINDING & THAT IT HUNG UP MOMENTARILY WHEN HE WAS RETARDING IT DURING THE LANDING. HE WAS AWARE OF THE THROTTLE DISCREPANCY BEFORE THE FLIGHT. THE U.S. ARPT/FACILITY DIRECTORY LISTING FOR THIS ARPT STATED 'RWY 17-35 LAND ONLY TO THE SOUTH.'
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; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 1,108 hours in all; 1,108 in this make and model; 46 in the last 90 days; 916 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,816 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 27, 1985
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-470 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 6C4 Hampton IA at 4:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 1,700 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 14 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 12:47 pm from CID
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.