# NTSB ATL87FA268: Beech 95-B55, N6343X, Manteo, NC, September 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1987, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Manteo, NC
- Coordinates: 35.889968, -75.659492 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8900&lon=-75.6595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7322
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7322/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA268

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESS OBSERVED ACFT SETTLE INTO OCEAN DURING LOW LEVEL CRUISE FLT ADJACENT TO BEACH. WX WAS OVRCST, INDISTINCT HORIZON & CALM SEA. IFR FLT PLAN HAD BEEN FILED BUT NO CONTACT WAS MADE WITH ATC. ENGINES AND PROPELLER EXAMINATION DID NOT REVEAL A MECHANICAL FAILURE. DAMAGE TO PROP BLADES INDICATED CRUISE OPERATING RANGE AT IMPACT. WATER AND SALT CORROSION DAMAGE PREVENTED DETAILED ACFT SYSTEM EXAMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6343X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6343X-1989-01-17), registration cancelled 1989-01-17, S/N TC2445 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-2445
- Airframe hours: 1295
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Emory E. James, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 1987
- Departed: MQI, MANTEO, NC
- Destination: RDU, RALEIGH, NC
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,310 total, 2,152 as pilot in command, 196 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MQI, 12 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 19870930058629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870930058629A), Sep 30, 1987: Beech 95B55, Manteo, NC, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Indicated pilot accidently contacted the water while flying low. Aircraft skipped and zoomed. Rolled and crashed.

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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