# NTSB ATL85MA049: Beech 58, N7230R, Charleston, SC, December 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1984, 04:34 local (09:34 UTC)
- Place: Charleston, SC
- Location: 32.7048° N, 80.0199° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from CHARLESTON EXEC (JZI), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7048&lon=-80.0199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6891
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85MA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6891/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85MA049

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7230R-2013-05-06), registration cancelled 2013-05-06, S/N TH-555, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 58
- Registry model: [Beech 58](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58) (registry code 1152740) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TH-555
- Airframe hours: 2275
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19841206064509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841206064509A), Dec 6, 1984: Beech 58, Charleston, SC, Destroyed. Pilot descended below mda and struck trees during approach. Pilot under stress and using methamphetamines.

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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