# NTSB ATL90LA041: Beech A36, N8EM, Nashville, NC, December 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 17, 1989, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Nashville, NC
- Location: 35.9692° N, 77.9567° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nashville, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9692&lon=-77.9567&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8190
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8190/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA041

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DITCH THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8EM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8EM-1999-08-18), registration cancelled 1999-08-18, S/N E-1439 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-1439
- Airframe hours: 1881
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Daryl W. Cady
- Registered owner: Bch Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1988, 176 hours before
- Departed: W17, KNIGHTDALE, NC
- Destination: RWI, ROCKY MOUNT, NC
- Airport: TDZ, Metcalf Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 850 total, 45 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RWI, 10 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 19891217051709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891217051709A), Dec 17, 1989: Beech A36, Nashville, NC, Substantial damage. Engine quit on descent to airport. Hit ditch landing in a field. No engine defects. Water in fuel on preflight.

## Other investigations on N8EM (1)

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 IAD98FA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98FA094), Aug 15, 1998: Beech A-36 (N8EM), Amelia, OH, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's loss of control in flight due to spatial disorientation. A related factor was the fog.

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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