# NTSB ATL89FA149: Beech S35, N6863Q, Russellville, KY, May 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1989, 00:37 local (05:37 UTC)
- Place: Russellville, KY
- Location: 36.8395° N, 86.8956° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Russellville, KY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8395&lon=-86.8956&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA149

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, HIS CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO AN AREA OF KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.  CONTIBUTING FACTORS WERE:  THE DARK NIGHT, THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIMSELF AND HIS AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm,level iii (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - lightning (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6863Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6863Q-1990-02-23), registration cancelled 1990-02-23, S/N D7478 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH S35
- Registry model: [Beech S35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (registry code 1151532) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-7478
- Airframe hours: 6484
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: T. Haas, Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 1988, 161 hours before
- Departed: SFB, SANFORD, FL
- Destination: STL, ST LOUIS, MO
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 370 total, 54 in this make and model, 215 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWG, 21 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 19890520012359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890520012359A), May 20, 1989: Beech S35, Russellville, KY, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Flew into known area of thunderstorms, lost control in turbulence and failed to recover. Sigmets given pilot.

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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