# NTSB ATL92FA049: Beech H-18, N347G, Morganton, NC, February 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 26, 1992, 08:26 local (13:26 UTC)
- Place: Morganton, NC
- Coordinates: 35.740631, -81.689865 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7406&lon=-81.6899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8498
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92FA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8498/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92FA049

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FOLLOW FAR AND COMPANY PROCEDURES, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE DURING THE APPROACH. FACTORS WERE THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN CONDITIONS, AND THE FOGGY, LOW CEILING WEATHER CONDITIONS EXISTING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, missed approach (ifr)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS ON A PART 135 CARGO FLIGHT. SINCE THE DESTINATION AIRPORT HAD NO WEATHER REPORTING FACILITY, COMPANY POLICY AND FAR 135 REQUIRED A VFR DESCENT AND LANDING FROM THE MVA. THE PILOT REQUESTED AND RECEIVED CLEARANCE FOR A LOCALIZER APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT, ALTHOUGH A NEARBY AIRPORT WAS REPORTING 400' BROKEN/3 MILES WITH FOG. THE PILOT REPORTED TO ATC THAT HE HAD MISSED HIS FIRST APPROACH, AND REQUESTED A SECOND APPROACH TO THE SAME AIRPORT. AFTER EXECUTING THE MISSED APPROACH, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED MOUNTAINOUS TERRIAN WHILE ALIGNED WITH THE EXTENDED CENTERLINE OF THE LOCALIZER. CAP PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS OBSCURED IN CLOUDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED ABOUT 1,500 FEET BELOW A MINIMUM ALTITUDE ON THE FIRST APPROACH ATTEMPT. MODE C ALTITUDE DATA WAS LOST DURING THE MISSED APPROACH. FOUR YEARS EARLIER, THIS PILOT DESCENDED BELOW GLIDEPATH ON AN ILS APPROACH AND CRASHED INTO TREES WITH WEATHER BELOW APPROACH MINIMUMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N347G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N347G-1995-04-10), registration cancelled 1995-04-10, S/N BA654 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H-18
- Registry model: [Beech H-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h-18) (registry code 1151012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA-654
- Airframe hours: 13506
- Engines: P&W R985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Piedmont Air Cargo, Inc.
- Registered owner: Piedmont Air Cargo, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 14, 1991, 34 hours before
- Departed: CLT, CHARLOTTE, NC
- Destination: MRN, MORGANTON, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MRN, Morganton-Lenoir, runway 3, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 52 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY, 18 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 19920226004079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920226004079A), Feb 26, 1992: Beech H18, Morganton, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Descended below minimum safe altitude on initial approach. Crashed into trees wings level.

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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