# NTSB ATL87FA257: Beech V-35B, N6591S, Hilton Head, SC, September 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1987, 11:35 local (15:35 UTC)
- Place: Hilton Head, SC
- Location: 32.2163° N, 80.7526° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hilton Head Island, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2163&lon=-80.7526&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7320
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA257
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7320/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA257

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - thunderstorm
  - weather evaluation - not understood, pilot in command
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - radar assistance to vfr aircraft - improper use of, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PIC SAID HE HAD WX BRIEF. NOTED TSTMS OVR ATLANTIC & FOG AT ARPT. STATED HE WOULD HOLD OVR OCEAN UNTIL ARPT CLR. ACFT TRACK ON RADAR WAS INTO AREA OF TSTMS OVR OCEAN FOLLOWED BY MODE C ALTITUDE DEVIATIONS AND LOSS OF RADAR CONTACT. ACFT RECOVERED FROM OCEAN. EXAMINATION SHOWED DOWNWARD BENDING OF STABILIZERS AND TENSION SEPARATION OF BULKHEAD WHERE STABILIZERS ATTACH BUT NO IN-FLIGHT SEPARATION OF AIRFRAME.  ACFT WAS MODIFIED WITH BEECH STABILIZER ROOT REINFORCEMENT KIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6591S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6591S-2003-04-21), registration cancelled 2003-04-21, S/N D-9844, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V-35B
- Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-9844
- Airframe hours: 969
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thinel, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1987
- Departed: X16, TAMPA, FL
- Destination: CHS, CHARLESTON, SC
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAV, 35 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 19870901048909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870901048909A), Sep 1, 1987: Beech V35B, Hilton Head, SC, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Wreckage shows pilot lost control and exceeded aircraft load limit. Crashed in ocean. Flying between thunderstorms.

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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