On June 28, 1994, a Beech A35 (registration N3042V) operated by Paul Douglas Johnson was involved in an aviation accident near Lakeville, MN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE JAMMING OF THE ELEVATOR CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO CONTROL THE PITCH ATTITUDE OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A STALL-SPIN AND IMPACTED LEVEL TERRAIN IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Witnesses observed an airplane assume a nose-high attitude after takeoff, enter a stall/spin from below 200 feet, and impact the ground. The aircraft had not been flown for eight months. An elevator cable misrouting was discovered.
Accident Details
An airplane carrying three occupants departed on a fishing trip. Witnesses reported that immediately after takeoff, the aircraft assumed a nose-high attitude and entered a stall/spin from an altitude of less than 200 feet at the departure end of the runway. The airplane impacted the ground heading 180 degrees from the direction of takeoff and was subsequently consumed by fire.
Aircraft History
The aircraft had not been flown for eight months prior to the accident. Records indicated that during the three-month period before that, it had flown no more than twice.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed that an elevator control cable was misrouted, with evidence of snagging on a cable guide. Investigators were able to duplicate the condition, which prevented nose-down elevator input beyond the neutral position. No other mechanical discrepancies were found.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 28 Jun 1994 Beech A35 accident near Lakeville, MN?
Witnesses observed an airplane assume a nose-high attitude after takeoff, enter a stall/spin from below 200 feet, and impact the ground. The aircraft had not been flown for eight months. An elevator cable misrouting was discovered.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 28 Jun 1994 involved a Beech A35, registration N3042V, operated by Paul Douglas Johnson, at Lakeville, MN.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE JAMMING OF THE ELEVATOR CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO CONTROL THE PITCH ATTITUDE OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A STALL-SPIN AND IMPACTED LEVEL TERRAIN IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…