# NTSB ATL92FA031: Beech 58TC, N6588S, Bluffton, SC, December 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1991, 17:37 local (22:37 UTC)
- Place: Bluffton, SC
- Coordinates: 32.229728, -80.859649 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2297&lon=-80.8596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92FA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92FA031

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM CONTROLLABLE AIRSPEED AFTER A REPORTED ENGINE POWER LOSS, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS THE LOSS OF POWER ON THE LEFT ENGINE. THE REASON FOR THE LEFT ENGINE POWER LOSS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - 1 engine
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT HAD INITIATED A DIVERT TO ANOTHER AIRPORT AFTER HEARING REPORTS OF LOW VISIBILITIY AT HIS DESTINATION. HE REPORTED THAT HE HAD NO APPROACH PLATES FOR HIS DIVERT FIELD. WHILE BEING RADAR VECTORED AT ABOUT 3,000 FEET AGL, HE REPORTED 'HAVING ENGINE PROBLEMS.' ABOUT 1 MINUTE LATER, HE REPORTED 'GOING DOWN'. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN WOODED TERRAIN AND BURNED. THE DESCENT ANGLE THROUGH THE TREES WAS ABOUT 30 DEGREES. RADAR DATA INDICATES THAT THE AIRCRAFT RAPIDLY LOST ABOUT 30 KNOTS PRIOR TO THE PILOT'S LAST RADIO CALL, FOLLOWED BY A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE LEFT PROPELLER WAS NEAR THE FEATHERED POSITION AT IMPACT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF POWER ON THE RIGHT ENGINE AT IMPACT. TEARDOWNS OF BOTH ENGINES AND THEIR COMPONENTS FAILED TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTED ENGINE PROBLEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6588S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6588S-1994-10-06), registration cancelled 1994-10-06, S/N TK4 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 58TC
- Registry model: [Beech 58TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58tc) (registry code 1152746) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TK4
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-L 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Weinhold, Donald L.
- Registered owner: Weinhold, Donald L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: RUQ, SALISBURY, NC
- Destination: 49J, HILTON HEAD IS., SC
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 790 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 20° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 49J, 9 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 19911226057209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911226057209A), Dec 26, 1991: Beech 58TC, Bluffton, SC, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Reported engine problem. Descended into trees. Left prop feathered. No defects. Left fuel selector between detentes

## Other investigations on N6588S (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 SEA85LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA055), Feb 9, 1985: Beech 58TC (N6588S), Spokane, WA, 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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