# NTSB ATL91FA041: Beech K35, N99RN, Lafayette, TN, January 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1991, 17:37 local (23:37 UTC)
- Place: Lafayette, TN
- Coordinates: 36.519054, -86.030067 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5191&lon=-86.0301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8306
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91FA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8306/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA041

## Probable cause

PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, DARKNESS, AND RADIO TOWER WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - object - tower (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AN IFR FLT AT NIGHT, THE PLT ENCOUNTERED LIGHT RIME ICING CONDITIONS AND WAS CLEARED TO DSCND FROM 7000 FT TO 5000 FT MSL. ABOUT 14 MIN LATER, HE RPRTD THAT AN ENG POWER LOSS HAD OCCURRED AND THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. WHILE BEING VECTORED TO A NEARBY ARPT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A 112 FT HAM RADIO TOWER, ABOUT 60 FT AGL, THEN CRASHED. WITNESSES RPRTD THE ENG WAS AT IDLE POWER DURING IMPACT. DURING AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ACDNT, NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE, FUEL CONTAMINATION OR VERIFICATION OF STRUCTURAL ICE WAS FOUND. THE HAM RADIO TOWER WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN IDENTIFICATION LIGHT, NOR WAS THERE A REQUIREMENT FOR IT TO BE LIGHTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99RN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99RN-1991-04-15), registration cancelled 1991-04-15, S/N D6065 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH K35
- Registry model: [Beech K35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-k35) (registry code 1151524) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 4
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Laurel Leasing, Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 1990, 10 hours before
- Departed: PWK, WHEELING, IL
- Destination: CHA, CHATTANOOGA, TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 3M7, Lafayette Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,970 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 39 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 19910119000769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910119000769A), Jan 19, 1991: Beech K35, Lafayette, TN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Engine lost power IFR en route. Hit radio tower on vectors to airport. Fuel selector on empty tank. No engine defect

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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