# NTSB ATL89FA194: Beech E55, N55TP, Raleigh, NC, August 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1989, 11:23 local (15:23 UTC)
- Place: Raleigh, NC
- Coordinates: 35.900737, -78.64009 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9007&lon=-78.6401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7912/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA194

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION WHILE OPERATING IN INSTRUMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT HAD DEPARTED RALEIGH DURHAM INTL AIRPORT AT 1119. AT 1122 THE FLIGHT WAS CLEARED TO THE TAR RIVER VOR. THE PILOT 'ROGERED' THE INSTRUCTIONS, AND THIS WAS THE LAST RECORDED CONVERSATION. WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING THE ENGINES REVVING UP BEFORE THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND, AND ONE WITNESS REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE BEFORE THE IMPACT. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT EXPERIENCING WEATHER DIFFICULTIES. THERE WERE NO DEPICTIONS OF THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY WITHIN THE FLIGHT'S FLIGHT PATH VICINITY ON ATC RADAR. NO PRE-IMPACT FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. RADAR DATA SHOWED SOME INSTABILITY IN HEADING, ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED BETWEEN 1120:51 AND 1123:40.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55TP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55TP-1990-02-13), registration cancelled 1990-02-13, S/N TE965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E55
- Registry model: [Beech E-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e-55) (registry code 1152732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE-965
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Kitty Hawk Flyers
- Registered owner: Kitty Hawk Flyers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 1989
- Departed: RALEIGH, NC
- Destination: MANTEO, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RDU, Raleigh Durham Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 7 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 19890810028579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890810028579A), Aug 10, 1989: Beech E55, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control departing in IMC. Near vertical ground impact.

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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