# NTSB ATL87FA082: Beech K35, N621M, Arden, NC, March 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1987, 23:58 local (Mar 9, 1987, 04:58 UTC)
- Place: Arden, NC
- Coordinates: 35.459484, -82.579277 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4595&lon=-82.5793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7281
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7281/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA082

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, circling (ifr)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night
  - object - tree(s)
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command
  - excessive workload (task overload), pilot in command
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command

## Analysis

PLT DEPARTED CHARLESTON, SC FOR RALEIGH EARLIER IN THE DAY. WHILE AT RALEIGH HE DISCUSSED PENDING LEGISLATION WITH ASSOC. HE DEPARTED RALEIGH ABOUT 2228 EST IN WX OF INDEF 100 AND 1/2 MILE VISIBILITY. HIS DESTINATION WAS FORECAST TO HAVE OCCASIONAL CEILINGS OF 200 OVERCAST AND 1/4 MILE VISIBIITY IN FOG. APPROACHING ASHEVILLE HE ASKED FOR A PIREP ON ASHEVILLE. ATLANTA CENTER GAVE THE LATEST WEATHER AS 500 SCATTERED, MEASURED 1100 OVERCAST, VISIBILITY ONE MILE IN LIGHTDRIZZLE AND FOG. THE PLT WAS CLEARED FOR AN ILS TO RUNWAY 34. THE EXISTING WEATHER WAS 400 OVERCAST, 2 MILES VISIBILITY.THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ABOUT A MILE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT ON A HEADING OF 014. PILOT DID NOT ACTIVATE APPROACH LIGHTS FOR RUNWAY 34.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N621M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N621M-1988-03-21), registration cancelled 1988-03-21, S/N D5852 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH K35
- Registry model: [Beech K35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-k35) (registry code 1151524) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D5852
- Airframe hours: 4265
- Engines: CONTINENTAL I0-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harry W. Clarke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 1986, 87 hours before
- Departed: RDU, RALEIGH, NC
- Destination: AVL, ASHEVILLE, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AVL, Asheville Regional, runway 34, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,369 total, 79 in this make and model, 1,202 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 1 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 19870308005259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870308005259A), Mar 8, 1987: Beech STC35, Asheville, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft struck trees during an instrument approach. The pilot was left of course and below decision height.

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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