# NTSB ATL91FA040: Rockwell 114, N4827W, Bessemer, AL, January 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1991, 18:15 local (Jan 20, 1991, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Bessemer, AL
- Coordinates: 33.369831, -86.96054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3698&lon=-86.9605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8305
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91FA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8305/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA040

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FOLLOW INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR) AND MAINTAIN THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE (MDA) DURING THE VOR APPROACH.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  DARKNESS AND THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS CLEARED FOR THE RUNWAY FIVE APPROACH. CURRENT WEATHER HAD BEEN ISSUED WHICH INCLUDED THE ALTIMETER SETTING FOR BIRMINGHAM. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM HAD BEEN REPORTED AND THE FLIGHT APPEARED NORMAL. THE LAST RADAR HIT INDICATED THAT THE FLIGHT WAS AT 1300 FEET EARLY IN THE APPROACH. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ABOUT FOUR MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT. IMPACT OCCURRED WITH THE TOPS OF TREES THAT WERE IN A VALLEY ABOUT 200 FEET BELOW THE AIRPORT ELEVATION. WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED OVER A 350 FOOT AREA AND DIAGONAL SLASH MARKS WERE FOUND ON TREE LIMBS THROUGHOUT THE AREA. THE AIRPORT ELEVATION WAS 699 FEET.  MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE (MDA) FOR THE APPROACH WAS 1260 FEET. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4827W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4827W-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 14157, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rockwell 114
- Registry model: [Rockwell International 114](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-114) (registry code 7630314) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14157
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-T4B5D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frank, Randal W.
- Departed: STF, STARKVILLE, MS
- Destination: 2A3, BESSEMER, AL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 114, Bessemer, runway 5, 5,700 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Observed at: 2A3, 1 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 19910119000749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910119000749A), Jan 19, 1991: Gulstm 114, Bessemer, AL, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Descended below mda on VOR approach. Collided with trees in valley 200 feet below airport level. Wx below minimums.

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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