# NTSB ATL89FA113: Beech F33A, N6387S, Ashland, AL, March 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1989, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Ashland, AL
- Coordinates: 33.270378, -85.830451 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2704&lon=-85.8305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7883
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7883/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA113

## Probable cause

THE PILOT CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: HIGH TERRAIN, THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PREFLIGHT WX BRIEFING, THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO LOW CEILINGS AND REDUCED VISIBILITY. SUBSEQUENTLY THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ON A MTN RIDGE AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 1800 FT. A PARK RANGER STATED THAT ALL RIDGES IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE WERE OBSCURED AT THE APPROXIMATE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION FAILED TO INDICATE A SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. SEVERAL PROPELLER SLASH MARKS WERE FOUND ON TREE BRANCHES ALONG THE WRECKAGE PATH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6387S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6387S-1990-08-13), registration cancelled 1990-08-13, S/N CE621 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH F33A
- Registry model: [Beech F33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (registry code 1151425) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CE621
- Airframe hours: 3128
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bill Joe Allison
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 10, 1988, 26 hours before
- Departed: GAD, GADSDEN, AL
- Destination: EUF, EUFAULA, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,765 total, 428 in this make and model, 1,697 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 8 knots
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANB, 13 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 19890321004499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890321004499A), Mar 21, 1989: Beech F33A, Ashland, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into trees on side of a cloud obscured ridge. Was advised VFR not recommended. Unknown why he didnt file IFR.

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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