# NTSB ATL88MA048: Beech C90, N4463W, Beaufort, SC, November 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: November 30, 1987, 09:46 local (14:46 UTC)
- Place: Beaufort, SC
- Coordinates: 32.330955, -80.680053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3310&lon=-80.6801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 12, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7818
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88MA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7818/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88MA048

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded
  - wing - overload
  - wing - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

AT 0938, WHILE CLBG THRU 9000', THE PLT WAS CLRD TO CLB TO FL 210. APRX 10 MIN LATER, THE ATC CTLR NOTED THE ACFT'S MODE C RTRN WASN'T BEING DISPLAYED ON HIS SCOPE. HE TRIED TO ADZ THE PLT, BUT COULDN'T ESTABLISH RADIO CONTACT. THE ACFTBROKE UP IN FLT & THE WRECKAGE WAS FND SUBMERGED IN A CREEK & ON MARSHLAND. A LARGE PIECE OF THE RGT OUTBOARD WING PANELWAS FND ABT 2 MI EAST OF THE MAIN WRECKAGE. THE RGT ENG WAS FND APRX 800' TO 1200' NE OF THE MAIN WRECKAGE IN 4' OF WTR.THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE RGT OUTBOARD WING HAD FAILED FM UPWARD & AFT OVERLOAD. NO PRE-ACDNT MECH FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN IN-FLT BREAK-UP. RADAR DATA SHOWED THE ACFT WAS CLBG AT 115 KTS & 1100'/MIN; AT APRX 16,000' MSL, RATE OF CLB SLOWED TO APRX 750'/MIN, THEN INCREASED TO 1200'/MIN. PEAK ALT WAS APRX 18,200'. ACFT THENENTERED A STEEP DSCNT & CRASHED. AT THE APRX TIME & PLACE OF PEAK ALT, PRIMARY TARGETS APPEARED ON RADAR & REMAINED FOR SVRL MINS. ORGANIC MTRL WAS FND ON LEFT ENG INLET SCREEN, BUT SOURCE WAS NOT DTRMD. ACDNT OCCURRED ALONG BIRD FLYWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4463W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4463W-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N LJ-633, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C90
- Registry model: [Beech C90](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c90) (registry code 1152913) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [U/A Canada PT6A-27-28](https://openairdocs.org/engine/u-a-canada-pt6a-27-28) (registry code 61504, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: LJ-633
- Airframe hours: 2092
- Engines: P&W PT6A-20A 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph R. Leon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 15, 1987, 191 hours before
- Departed: SAV, SAVANNAH, GA
- Destination: PNE, PHILADELPHIA, PA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 14,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NBC, 5 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 19871130068499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871130068499A), Nov 30, 1987: Beech C90, Beaufort, SC, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft broke up in climb to cruise. Pilot had blood pressure and possible cardiac problems. Loss of control factor

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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