# NTSB ATL86FA155: Beech 95-B55, N3001S, Elizabethtown, KY, June 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1986, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Elizabethtown, KY
- Coordinates: 37.69952, -85.870529 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6995&lon=-85.8705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6945
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6945/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA155

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - object - guy wire (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT OBSERVED IN LEVEL FLT IN IMC JUST BELOW EST 500 FOOT OVC. EST VIZ ABOUT 3/4 MI. LT WING STRUCK 15/16 INCH DIA STEEL GUY CABLE 534 FEET AGL SHEARING OUTER 118 IN. ACFT IMPACTED EARTH FILL DAM 1169 FT FROM 650 FEET TALL TV ANTENNA. TOWER. TOP OF TOWER OBSCURED BY CLOUDS. PLT HAD DEP AIRPORT 63 NM WEST JUST AFTER THE WX AT THE DEP FLD REACHED VFR MINIMUMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3001S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3001S-2012-09-25), registration cancelled 2012-09-25, S/N TC-797, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95-B55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-797
- Airframe hours: 6865
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-E2B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Byron O. Ratliff
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1985, 50 hours before
- Departed: OWB, OWENSBORO, KY
- Destination: I98, ELIZABETHTOWN, KY
- Airport: I98, Elizabethtown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 862 total, 64 in this make and model, 737 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19860602020659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860602020659A), Jun 2, 1986: Beech STC95, Elizabethtown, KY, Destroyed. Struck tower guy wires in IFR weather conditions. Pilot was not instrument rated. Heart attack prior to collision.

## Other investigations on N3001S (2)

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.

- [NTSB ATL85LA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA215), Jul 13, 1985: Beech 95-B55 (N3001S), Owensboro, KY, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI65F0003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI65F0003), Jan 18, 1965: Beechraft B55 (N3001S), Negaunee, MI, substantial damage

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.