# NTSB ATL89FA142: Embraer EMB-110-P1, N95PB, Mt. Pleasant, TN, May 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1989, 02:00 local (07:00 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Pleasant, TN
- Coordinates: 35.550094, -87.190589 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5501&lon=-87.1906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7890
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7890/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA142

## Probable cause

PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A VFR LANDING IN INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS THAT WERE BELOW MINIMUMS FOR THE PUBLISHED INSTRUMENT APPROACH AND COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND AFTER ALLOWING THE AIRPLANE TO DESCEND BELOW THE PROPER ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
  - fatigue, dual student (cause)
  - weather condition - fog
  - weather evaluation - misjudged (cause)
  - light condition - dark night
  - altitude - inadequate, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER CONDUCTING GROUND TRAINING ALL DAY, THE INSTRUCTOR/DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND HIS TRAINEE FLEW AN EMB-110-P1 TO MEMPHIS TO EXCHANGE AIRPLANES. GROUND FOG HAD STARTED TO FORM PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. AFTER EXCHANGING AIRPLANES, THEY MADE THE RETURN FLIGHT TO COLUMBIA. THEY OBTAINED RADAR VECTORS TO THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE FOR THE SDF AT COLUMBIA. THE THICK FOG RESULTED IN A MISSED APPROACH. DURING THE MISSED APPROACH, THE RUNWAY WAS VISIBLE FROM ABOVE AND THE CREW INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD TRY FOR A VFR APPROACH AND LANDING. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES 2350 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY IN A WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE TOPS OF THE TREES WERE BROKEN 41 FEET ABOVE THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD ALTITUDE. THE TRAINEE HAD BEEN WITHOUT REST FOR AT LEAST 30 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95PB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95PB-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 110.330, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EMBRAER EMB-110-P1
- Registry model: [Embraer EMB-110P1](https://openairdocs.org/model/embraer-emb-110p1) (registry code 3260122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 110330
- Airframe hours: 11387
- Engines: P&W PT6A-34 783 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Line, Inc.
- Registered owner: Flight Line, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, May 3, 1989, 44 hours before
- Departed: MEM, MEMPHIS, TN
- Destination: MRC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MRC, Maury County, runway 23, 5,003 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 11,020 total, 250 in this make and model, 143 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 41 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 19890506010899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890506010899A), May 6, 1989: Emb EMB110P1, Columbia/Mt Ple, TN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Tried circling VFR after sdf approach at night with patchy ground fog. Saw airport but fog obscured it on approach.

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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