# NTSB ATL90LA002: Beech V35B, N4277A, Colquitt, GA, October 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1989, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Colquitt, GA
- Location: 31.1732° N, 84.7324° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Colquitt, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1732&lon=-84.7324&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8163/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA002

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN CURRENT ENROUTE WEATHER INFORMATION FOR HIS DESTINATION RESULTING IN HIS FLYING VMC INTO IMC CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN HIS COLLISION WITH POWERLINES WHILE MAKING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A ROAD.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command
  - object - wire,static
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

PLT RECEIVED WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. PLT ADDITIONALLY RECEIVED CURRENT WEATHER AT TALLAHASSEE ENROUTE. PLT DID NOT GET UPDATE WEATHER FOR DESTINATION ENROUTE. NINE MILES FROM DESTINATION FLT ENCOUNTERED INSTRUMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. PLT REVERSED COURSE AND AGAIN ENCOUNTERED IMC. WHILE AT 500 FEET IN A ONE MILE DIAMETER HOLE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A ROAD. ON APPROACH TO THE ROAD THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A POWERLINE SEVERING THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR. ON TOUCHDOWN THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. THE PILOT REPORTED ON THE NTSB ACCIDENT REPORT FORM THAT HIS LAST BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW WAS 27 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4277A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4277A-2013-10-31), registration cancelled 2013-10-31, S/N D-9249, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35B
- Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D9249
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David E. Miller
- Registered owner: David E Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 31, 1988, 200 hours before
- Departed: FXE, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: MAI, MARIANNA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 490 total, 270 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19891001037319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891001037319A), Oct 1, 1989: Beech V35B, Colquitt, GA, Substantial damage. Boxed in by wall of clouds and heavy rain. Elected land on a road,hit wires,severed right main. Veered into ditch.

## Other investigations on N4277A (2)

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.

- [NTSB MIA78FLD50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FLD50), Jun 7, 1978: Beech V35B (N4277A), Lake Wales, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC74FHJ16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74FHJ16), Dec 2, 1973: Beech V35B (N4277A), White Plains, NY, substantial damage

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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