NTSB Factual Report

On December 25, 2002, at 1130 eastern standard time, a Beech F-35, Bonanza N4268B, registered to a private individual, experienced an airframe vibration while descending out of 3,500 feet 25 miles west of the Hollywood North Perry Airport in Hollywood, Florida. The air transport pilot slowed the airplane and landed at the Hollywood North Perry Airport without further incident. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot and passenger were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Wings South Airpark, Naples, Florida, at 1045.

According to the pilot, while descending from 3,500 feet at 180 knots indicated airspeed for landing at the Hollywood airport the airplane began to vibrate. The pilot reduced power and raised the nose of the airplane to slow the airplane down. The pilot reduced the speed of the airplane to 120 MPH. The airplane landed without any further incident. During the post landing inspection of the airplane, the pilot found that the empennage aft of the rear bulkhead had substantial wrinkling near the horizontal stabilizers.

The F35 Pilot's Operating Handbook Limitation Section II, page 2-4, Airspeed Limitations lists the Vc airspeed as 173 MPH.

Examination of the airplane revealed no corrosion or unusual cracks in the rear fuselage area. Both sides of the rear fuselage was buckled. The buckling extended from the bottom rear corner of the left side access panel to the right and left side elevator attachment points. The fuselage bottom skin was torn loose from its rivet attachment point. The right side B-stringer, which joins the rear fuselage right side and the right side of the bottom skin, was buckled inward.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot exceeded the design limits of the airplane which resulted in an in flight structural failure.