Casualties unknown

Tail Strike During Missed Approach Prompts Diversion to Brownwood (N3804X)

Temple, TX, US

On January 18, 1988, a Beech V35B (registration N3804X) was involved in an aviation accident near Temple, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT FAILED TO EXECUTE A MISSED APPROACH WHEN HE DESCENDED THROUGH DECISION HEIGHT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot en route to Austin diverted to Temple due to weather, but conditions there also deteriorated. During an ILS approach in low visibility, the aircraft struck terrain short of the runway, damaging the tail, then diverted to Brownwood for an uneventful landing.

Flight Diversion

While en route to Austin, Texas, the pilot changed the destination to Temple, Texas, because of worsening weather conditions at Austin. However, the weather at Temple was also deteriorating.

Approach and Weather

As the aircraft was descending toward Temple, the pilot was advised of a special weather observation reporting an indefinite ceiling of 200 feet, sky obscured, visibility 1/16 mile in fog, and wind from 150 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot chose to fly an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 15, which had minimums of a 200-foot ceiling and 1/2 mile visibility.

At 0847 Central Standard Time, as the pilot began the approach, another weather observation was taken. It reported an indefinite ceiling of 100 feet and visibility 1/16 mile in fog.

Incident

According to the pilot, the flight proceeded normally until the missed approach was initiated. At that point, the pilot described the event as "slow on go, hit tail on pitch up." During the missed approach, the aircraft contacted terrain approximately 120 feet short of the runway. The tail cone and aft fuselage were damaged, but the aircraft continued flying.

Landing

The pilot then diverted and landed without further incident at Brownwood, Texas, where visual flight rules (VFR) conditions prevailed.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X24906. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.