# NTSB ANC96LA006: Beech B24R, N9329S, Ninilchik, AK, October 19, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 19, 1995, 09:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Ninilchik, AK - Coordinates: 60.069335, -151.420425 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0693&lon=-151.4204&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2781 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2781/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA006 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper inflight planning/decision and inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. Turbulence and downdrafts were related factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - terrain condition - snow covered ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot was in cruise flight at 4,500 feet mean sea level (MSL). Due to high wind conditions, he descended to 3,000 feet msl. The terrain began rising, and the pilot began a climb to maintain an altitude of about 1,300 feet above the ground. He then encountered severe turbulence and downdrafts. He attempted to maintain control of the airplane and applied full power to establish a climb attitude at an indicated airspeed of about 80 MPH. However, the airplane continued to descend into upsloping, rock and snow covered terrain. The airplane contacted the ground in a climb attitude and received damage to the wings, fuselage, and engine. ## Factual narrative On October 19, 1995, about 0945 Alaska daylight time, a Beech B- 24R, N9329S, collided with terrain about 16 miles east of Ninilchik, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country positioning flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Great Northern Airlines Inc., sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Seldovia airport, Seldovia, Alaska, about 0920. The pilot reported that he was returning to Anchorage on the return portion of a charter flight to Seldovia. During the initial flight to Seldovia earlier in the day, the pilot transited the area of the accident without incident but had experienced a strong tailwind in a southerly direction. After departure from Seldovia for the return flight, the pilot was in cruise flight at 4,500 feet mean sea level (MSL). Due to strong headwinds, he descended to 3,000 feet msl. The terrain began rising and the pilot began a climb to maintain an altitude of about 1,300 feet above the ground. The pilot then encountered severe turbulence and downdrafts. He attempted to maintain control of the airplane and applied full power to establish a climb attitude at an indicated airspeed of about 80 MPH. The airplane continued to descend into upsloping, rock and snow covered terrain. The airplane contacted the ground in a climb attitude and received damage to the wings, fuselage, and engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9329S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9329S-1996-03-09), registration cancelled 1996-03-09, S/N MC362 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH B24R - Registry model: [Beech B24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b24r) (registry code 1151253) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: MC-362 - Airframe hours: 1127 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gee Bee Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 1995, 38 hours before - Departed: SOV, SELDOVIA, AK - Destination: Z41, ANCHORAGE, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,490 total, 23 in this make and model, 1,457 as pilot in command, 133 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 45° at 35 knots, gusting 50 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19951019037219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951019037219A), Oct 19, 1995: Beech B24R, Ninilchik, AK, Substantial damage. Staying low to avoid headwinds. Entered severe downdraft. Forced down into upslope rock and snow covered terrain. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.