Casualties unknown

Accident During Landing Turn: Accelerated Stall at Low Altitude (N3121V)

Reno, NV, US

On April 26, 1992, a Beech 35 (registration N3121V) operated by Donald J. And Joan Williams was involved in an aviation accident near Reno, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH TO COMPENSATE FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

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

An airplane entered an accelerated stall from low altitude during a turn to final approach, resulting in a nose-first descent. The pilot had been cleared to land on runway 16 right.

Flight Sequence

At 1720, the pilot contacted approach control, requesting radar service to the destination. The pilot was instructed to contact the tower at 1724 and was cleared to land on runway 16 right at 1725. Witnesses reported that the pilot executed a constant turn from the downwind leg to final approach. The airplane overshot the final approach path and appeared to steepen its bank angle. Subsequently, the airplane entered an accelerated stall from a low altitude while turning to final, and fell to the ground nose first.

Communication

The pilot's last communication with the tower was recorded at 1728:58, when he transmitted "TWO ONE VICTOR'S." This transmission coincided with the time the airplane was observed falling to the ground.

Weather Information

The Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) code 'November' had been recorded at 1650, reporting winds from 210 degrees at 8 knots. A later weather observation taken at 1731 reported winds from 290 degrees at 13 knots. With winds from that direction, the pilot experienced a left quartering tail wind on the base leg and a right quartering tail wind on final approach.

Witness Observations

Multiple witnesses observed the aircraft's maneuver. They noted a constant turn from downwind to final, followed by an overshoot of the final approach path and a steepening of the bank. The airplane then stalled and descended nose first to the ground.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X14445. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.