# NTSB ATL83FA129: Beech K35, N9543R, Birmingham, AL, March 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1983, 19:32 local (Mar 7, 1983, 01:32 UTC)
- Place: Birmingham, AL
- Coordinates: 33.620388, -86.649436 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6204&lon=-86.6494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5896
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5896/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA129

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND TERRAIN DURING A PRACTICE LOCALIZER APPROACH AT NIGHT TO RWY 23 AT BIRMINGHAM MUNICIPALARPT. THE WEATHER WAS VMC AND THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. ON APPROACHING BIRMINGHAM FROM TRI-CITIES, NC THE PILOT ASKED FOR A LOCALIZER APPROACH. HE WAS CLEARED FOR THE APPROACH AND DESCENT TO 3000 FT. AT 1925 WHEN ASKED IF HE WAS RECEIVING THE LOCALIZER HE ANSWERED 'AFFIRMATIVE-ON GLIDE PATH, EXCUSE ME, ON THE CENTER.' HE WAS ADVISED OF HIS POSITION 13 MILES FROM THE ROEBY RADIO BEACON AND CLEARED FOR THE APPROACH. HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE CLEARANCE AND INSTRUCTION TO REMAIN VFR. THE LOCAL CONTROLLER FOLLOWED HIM ON RADAR (NO ALT) AND LOST THE RETURN WHEN THE TARGET WAS 6 MILES FROM THE ARPT. THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT ON COURSE NEAR THE CREST OF A 1240 FT MOUNTAIN ABOUT 2 MILES OUTSIDE THEOUTER MARKER. PROCEDURES DICTATE THAT 2000 FT BE MAINTAINED UNTIL INSIDE THE OUTER MARKER. A WITNESS SAW THE ACFT DESCENDING AND HEARD AN INCREASE IN ENGINE NOISE AND SAW THE NOSE OF THE ACFT COME UP BEFORE HITTING THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9543R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9543R-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N D-6121, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH K35
- Registry model: [Beech K35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-k35) (registry code 1151524) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-6121
- Airframe hours: 4574
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bengal Flyers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1983, 32 hours before
- Departed: TRI, TRI CITIES, TN
- Destination: BHM, BIRMINGHAM, AL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: BHM, Birmingham Muni., runway 23, 8,220 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 241 total, 20 in this make and model, 157 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM, 6 nm away

## 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 19830306006149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830306006149A), Mar 6, 1983: Beech K35, Birmingham, AL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck trees on a night practice LOC approach. Too low and slow. Passenger in right front seat not pilot rated.

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.

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