ATL85MA049

NTSB accident investigation · Beech 58 · Charleston, SC · December 6, 1984

Accident · FatalMajor investigationFinal report
Date
December 6, 1984, 04:34 local (09:34 UTC)
Place
Charleston, SC
Injuries
1 fatal
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N7230RBeech 58
Weather
Instrument (IMC) · Night/dark
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19841206064509A
Case key
6891

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight collision with objectApproach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Preflight planning/preparation - inadequatePilot in commandFactor
Overconfidence in personal abilityPilot in commandFactor
Judgment - poorPilot in commandCause
Self-induced pressurePilot in commandCause
Weather condition - below approach/landing minimumsFactor
Flight into known adverse weather - continuedPilot in commandCause
Impairment(drugs)Pilot in commandCause
Weather condition - low ceilingFactor
In-flight planning/decision - improperPilot in commandCause
Weather condition - fogFactor
Minimum descent altitude - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Light condition - dark nightFactor
Object - tree(s)

Analysis

Plt descended below mda during a night VOR (non-precision) apch to an uncontrolled arpt and collided with trees & groundwhich were obscured by fog. The plt had 'pushed' himself to make the trip according to friends and associates in an attempt to win an election result appeal. His lawyers reportedly argued that the trip on the accident night was not urgent & the mission could be accomplished by other means. The plt insisted on going to do the job himself in spite of the known adverse wx. The physical strain & fatigue were apparent according to friends who had 'given up', they said, intrying to stop him from over exertion & lengthy work days. The toxicology reports showed evidence of a drug named methamphetamine commonly called 'speed'. His wife denied any knowledge of the drug & his doctor denied prescribing it. It is not legally obtainable without prescription and is an appetite suppressant. Plts wife said he had lost 'about 20 lbs' in recent months. He had not reportedly seen a dr recently. No mech discrepancies of a causal nature were found.

Aircraft

Registration
N7230R
Reported as
Beech 58
Category
Airplane
Serial number
TH-555
Airframe hours
2,275
Engine
Continental IO-520-CB7, 280 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Fire
On-Ground
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Warren Paul Contrell Jr.
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · May 7, 1984 · 150 hours before
Departed
CUB · Columbia, SC
Destination
JZI · Charleston, SC
Flight plan
IFR
Airport
JZI · Charleston Executive

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
36
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Front
Toxicology
Performed
Flight hours
1,359 total · 85 in this make and model · 20 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Instrument (IMC) · Night/dark
Wind
280° at 6 knots
Visibility
25 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
100 ft
Temperature
48 °F, dew point 48 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
CHS, 11 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.