# Accident 20081214854449A: Beech C90A, Rocksprings, TX, December 14, 2008

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 14, 2008, 14:59 local time
- Place: Rocksprings, TX
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 30.1706° N, 100.5883° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1706&lon=-100.5883&mi=10
- Aircraft: N43KM, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43KM-2013-02-11) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Beech C90A (registry code 1152911, https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c90a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-21 (registry code 52172, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-21) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C90A
- Reported engine: PWA PT6A21
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN09FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09FA087) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081214854449A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON 12-14-2008 AT APPROXIMATELY 1430 CST, A BEECHCRAFT KING AIR C-90A N43KM DEPARTED HONDO AIRPORT HONDO, TEXAS ENROUTE TO GOODYEAR, ARIZONA FOLLOWING A MAINTENANCE VISIT AT CORRIGAN AIR CENTER IN HONDO, TEXAS.  AT 1450 CST, N43KM REQUESTED AND RECEIVED IFR CLEARANCE TO GOODYEAR, ARIZONA.  RADAR TRACK OBSERVED AIRCRAFT DEVIATING FROM ASSIGNED COURSE AND ALTITUDE ASSIGNMENT.  WHEN QUESTIONED, THE PILOT REPLIED HE WAS EXPERIENCING AUTO PILOT PROBLEMS.  CENTER LOST RADAR AND COMMUNICATION AT 1459 CST.  AN EYEWITNESS ON THE GROUND STATED HE SAW THE AIRCRAFT BREAK APART IN FLIGHT NEAR ROCKSPRINGS, TEXAS.  THE WRECKAGE INDICATED AN AERODYNAMIC OVERLOAD IN THAT BOTH ENGINES HAD SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT, THE ENTIRE TAIL SECTION HAD SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT.  BOTH WING TIPS WERE SHEARED OFF THEIR RESPECTIVE WINGS, THE RIGHT AILERON SEPARATED AND WAS LOCATED FURTHEST FROM ALL OTHER CRASH DEBRIS INDICATING IT WAS THE FIRST ITEM TO SEPARATE FROM THE AIRCRAFT.  THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST ON ITS BELLY IN AN OPEN FIELD.  THE DEBRIS RADIUS WAS APPROXIMATELY A QUARTER OF A MILE WITH REFERENCE TO THE AIRCRAFT.  THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED.  NO POST CRASH FIRE OCCURRED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN09FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09FA087), Dec 14, 2008: Beech C90 (N43KM), Rocksprings, TX, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to properly configure the pressurization controls, resulting in his impairment and subsequent incapacitation due to hypoxia.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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