# Accident 20200728011319A: Beech F33A, Robertsdale, AL, July 28, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 28, 2020, 19:01 local time
- Place: Robertsdale, AL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Climb
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 30.7133° N, 87.7050° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7133&lon=-87.7050&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3156W, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3156W-2020-12-14) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Beech F33A (registry code 1151425, https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-520 series (registry code 17032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH F33A
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 946 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA20LA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA262) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200728011319A

## Narrative

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

A VFR RATED PILOT DEPARTED THE AIRPORT NORTHBOUND INTO IMC CONDITIONS. THE APPROACH AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER (ATC) WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE PILOT ASKING HIS INTENSIONS OF THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS "JUST TRYING TO GET THROUGH THIS CLOUD". ATC GAVE VECTORS FOR A WESTERLY TURN AWAY FROM PRECIPITATION.  THE PILOT INITIALLY TURNED WEST FOR A MOMENT THEN TURNED NORTH, DIRECTLY  INTO A HEAVY RAIN CELL. NO FURTHER CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE PILOT.  SHORTLY THERE AFTER, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND.  A POST CRASH FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRCRAFT.

## 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 ERA20LA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA262), Jul 29, 2020: Beech F33 (N3156W), Malbis, AL, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart in deteriorating weather conditions, which led to restricted visibility and the pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation.…

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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