# NTSB ATL86MA011: Beech 58P, N583AM, Forsyth, GA, October 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1985, 15:33 local (20:33 UTC)
- Place: Forsyth, GA
- Coordinates: 33.030521, -83.940032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0305&lon=-83.9400&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): 7213
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86MA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7213/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86MA011

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - autopilot/flight director - undetermined (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained
  - altitude - not maintained
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE FLT WAS NORMAL UNTIL THE PLT WAS TRACKING INBND ON THE ATLANTA (ATL) 128 DEG RADIAL TWD THE HUSKY INTXN & WAS TOLD TO MAKE A 360 DEG TURN FOR SPACING. AFTER APRX 270 DEG OF TURN, THE PLT WAS CLRD TO TURN BACK INBND, JOIN THE ATL 128 DEG RADIAL & CONT TO THE HUSKY INTXN, THEN PROCEED DIRECT TO THE PEACHTREE DEKALB ARPT. INSTEAD OF TURNING INBND (NW), THE ACFT TURNED OUTBND (SE) TO A HDG OF 128 DEG. WHEN ASKED ABOUT HIS HDG, HE SAID HE HAD AN AUTOPLT PRBLM, BUT GAVE NO EXPLANATION. THE PLT WAS PROVIDED A  VECTOR BACK TO THE NW, THEN CLEARED DIRECT TO THE VOR. HOWEVER, THE ACFT AGAIN TURNED BACK TO THE SE. WHEN ASKED IF THE AUTOPLT WAS ON AGAIN, THE PLT SAID NO. ANOTHER VECTOR WAS PROVIDED TO TURN BACKTOWARD THE NW. THE ACFT BEGAN TURNING, BUT SUBSEQUENTLY, IT ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT & CRASHED. A WITNESS REPORTED HEARING THE ENGS AT HIGH POWER UNTIL THE ACFT DESCENDED OUT OF THE CLOUDS. THE ACFT WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED DURING IMPACT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS VERIFIED DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N583AM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 58P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TJ-493
- Airframe hours: 76
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dr. Andreas Gruentzig
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 13, 1985, 76 hours before
- Departed: SSI, ST. SIMONS, GA
- Destination: PDK, CHAMBLEE, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 448 total, 93 in this make and model, 38 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCN, 25 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 19851027053969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851027053969A), Oct 27, 1985: Beech 58P, Forsyth, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control after autopilot and some flight instruments failed. Said autopilot and whole first system is gone.

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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