# NTSB ATL84FA106: Beech A36, N1034W, Hamilton, AL, February 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1984, 20:10 local (Feb 23, 1984, 02:10 UTC)
- Place: Hamilton, AL
- Coordinates: 34.140464, -87.98088 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1405&lon=-87.9809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6258
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6258/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA106

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - flight/nav instruments,turn and bank indicator - inoperative
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - autopilot/flight director - inoperative
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)
  - vacuum system - failure,total

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES APRX 6 MILES EAST OF MARION CTY ARPT AND APRX 17 NM SW OF THE FLT DEPAT PT AND ALSO THE PLT'S HOME ARPT. THE PLT HAD EARLIER THAT DAY TOLD THE HALEYVILLE ARPT MGR THAT HE WOULD RETURN TO HALEYVILLE THE SAME DAY AS DEPT. THE ACC SITE IS APRX 17 NM. SW OF THE HALEYVILLE ARPT. THE OUTBOUND FLT HAD DEPT AT APRX 1720 BOUND FOR JACKSON MS. DEPT FROM JACKSON TOOK PLACE AT 1904 CST WITH A DEST OF BIRMINGHAM, AL NAMED ON THE ATC DEPT STRIP. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT MANEUVERING AT LOW ALT IN THE VICINITY OF THE HAMILTON ARPT JUST PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE WX WAS DESCRIBED BY THESE SAME WITNESSES AS FOGGY WITH DRIZZLE AND A VISIBILITY OF 1/2 TO 3/4 MILE. THERE IS NO WX REPORTING FACILITY AT HIMILTON. WX SHOWN OF THIS REPORT IS FOR MUSCLE SHOALS, 40 NMI AWAY AND ALSO BIRMINGHAM AL AND TUPELO MS. POST ACC INVEST REVELAED EVIDENCE THAT THE AUTO PLT HEADING MODE WAS BEING USED AT TIME OF ACC. THE VACUUM PUMP HAD SHEARED PRIOR TO ENG STOPPAGE. THE PUMP HAD LOGGED 730 OPERATIONAL HRS SINCE INSTALLATION IN 1978.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1034W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1034W-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N E-405, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E 405
- Airframe hours: 1923
- Engines: TGM IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Earl L. Mitchell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 21, 1983, 126 hours before
- Departed: JAN, JACKSON, MS
- Airport: HAB, Hamilton/Marion Co.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSL, 40 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 19840222004239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840222004239A), Feb 22, 1984: Beech A36, Hamilton, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed in IMC. Vaccuum pump drive coupling had failed. Pilot was not instrument 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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