# NTSB ATL87FA122: Beech D-55, N478MP, Leesburg, GA, April 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1987, 02:00 local (07:00 UTC)
- Place: Leesburg, GA
- Coordinates: 31.730571, -84.170417 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7306&lon=-84.1704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7288
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7288/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA122

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - light condition - night
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

DURING A RETURN FLIGHT AT NIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE IMPACT DISPLACED THE WING ASSEMBLY REARWARD PERPENDICULARLY THROUGH THE REAR SPAR ASSEMBLY. BOTH ENGINE AND PROPELLER ASSEMBLIES WERE BURIED IN THE GROUND ABOUT THREE FEET. THE INVESTIGATION FAILED TO INDICATE ANY AIRCRAFT PROBLEMS. THE PILOT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF SURRENDERING HIS PILOT CERTIFICATE FOR A PREVIOUS AVIATION VIOLATION. THE PILOT'S STATE DRIVERS LICENSE WAS ALSO SUSPENDED FOR A MOVING TRAFFIC VIOLATION. RECORDS INDICATED HE HAD RECEIVED 17 MOVING TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS SINCE 1975.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N478MP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D-55
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE477
- Airframe hours: 4975
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Arline Academy,Inc.
- Registered owner: G.P. Owens
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1986, 92 hours before
- Departed: TLH, TALLAHASSEE, FL
- Destination: GRIFFIN, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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