# NTSB ATL88FA230: Beech 60, N21TP, Pageland, SC, August 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1988, 07:35 local (11:35 UTC)
- Place: Pageland, SC
- Coordinates: 34.769298, -80.380088 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7693&lon=-80.3801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7619
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88FA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7619/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA230

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO APPROACH THE AIRPORT FROM THE NORTHWEST. AS IT CROSSED THE NORTHEAST END OF THE RUNWAY, IT INITIATED A RIGHT TURN TO CROSS THE RUNWAY ABOUT THE MIDPOINT TO A POSITION FOR A LEFT DOWNWIND FOR LANDING ON RUNWAY 5. ITS ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 200-300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND THE LANDING GEAR WAS DOWN. THE WITNESS DID NOT OBSERVE THE AIRPLANE FURTHER. IT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND ABOUT 0.4 MILES FROM THE THRESHOLD. THE MORNING SUN WAS ABOUT 10 DEGREES ABOVE THE HORIZON AND WAS ABOUT 33 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE PILOT'S FACE DURING HIS FLIGHT FROM THE LAST DEPARTURE POINT. THE LANDING RUNWAY SLOPED UPWARD FROM THE LANDING THRESHOLD. THE LOWER-THAN-NORMAL TRAFFIC PATTERN, THE SUN'S POSITION IN RELATION TO THE AIRPLANE FLIGHT PATH, AND THE RUNWAY SLOPE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE PILOT TO PERCIEVE HIS ALTITUDE AS BEING HIGHER THAN IT ACTUALLY WAS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21TP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21TP-1990-03-19), registration cancelled 1990-03-19, S/N P114 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 60
- Registry model: [Beech 60](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-60) (registry code 1153602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P-114
- Airframe hours: 3833
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-541-E1AC4 380 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Rickey L. Newsom
- Registered owner: Rickey L Newsom
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 22, 1987, 132 hours before
- Departed: ROCK HILL, SC
- Airport: 35J, Pageland, runway 5, 3,700 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,250 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 230° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 40 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 19880816033479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880816033479A), Aug 16, 1988: Beech 60, Pageland, SC, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Struck trees turning final. Crashed and burned. Not certificated for air taxi.

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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