# NTSB ATL90IA123: Beech BE-18, N52A, Anderson, SC, May 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1990, 02:45 local (07:45 UTC)
- Place: Anderson, SC
- Coordinates: 34.440383, -82.619529 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4404&lon=-82.6195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90IA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8157/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90IA123

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ENSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE WHILE TAXIING TO THE RAMP. A FACTOR IN THE INCIDENT WAS A DARK, UNLIGHTED RAMP AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS INSTRUCTED TO PARK IN THE GRASSY AREA BEHIND THE PAVED PARKING RAMP. AS THE PILOT TRANSITIONED FROM THE PAVED TAXIWAY THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLIDED WITH A CULVERT. THE COLLISION DAMAGED THE PROPELLER ASSEMBLY. THE PILOT'S VISION WAS REDUCED BECAUSE THE RAMP LIGHTS WERE NOT ON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N52A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH BE-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA-114
- Engines: P&W R-985-E1C4 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Bruce Mcswiggan, doing business as Academy Airlines
- Departed: CLT, CHARLOTTE, NC
- Airport: AND, Anderson County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 7,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 6,950 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AND

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19900525019789I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900525019789I), May 25, 1990: Beech E18S, Anderson, SC, Minor damage. Taxied into a hole off edge of unlit ramp as advised by fss to park on grass. Damaged gear and propeller.

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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