# NTSB ATL92FA139: Beech 58P, N3810L, Greenville, GA, July 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1992, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, GA
- Coordinates: 33.020061, -84.709144 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0201&lon=-84.7091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8514
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92FA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8514/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92FA139

## Probable cause

CONTINUED FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO AN AREA OF KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH RESULTED IN EXCEEDING THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE PLANE AND OVERLOAD FAILURE OF THE STABILIZERS AND WINGS. THE ADVERSE WEATHER (WITH THUNDERSTORMS) WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - normal
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - stabilizer - overload
  - stabilizer - separation
  - nacelle/pylon - overload
  - wing - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT DEPARTED MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE ON AN IFR FLIGHT TO BRUNSWICK, GEORGIA.  THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED THREE WEATHER BRIEFINGS BEFORE DEPARTURE AND WAS AWARE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SEVERE WEATHER ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH WEATHER AVOIDANCE EQUIPMENT.  THE PILOT COMMUNICATED TO RADAR CONTROLLERS THAT HE WAS IN SOME TURBULENCE AND WISHED TO LAND AT THE NEAREST AIRPORT.  WHILE BEING VECTORED TO AN AIRPORT, HE RADIOED THAT HE WAS IN A THUNDERSTORM AND THAT 'HE COULD NOT CONTROL ANYTHING.'  AN IN-FLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE EMPENNAGE AND WINGS OCCURRED, AND THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED.  WITNESSES REPORTED THAT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THERE WAS HEAVY RAIN, LIGHTNING, AND THUNDER IN THE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3810L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3810L-1995-05-12), registration cancelled 1995-05-12, S/N TJ336 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 58P
- Registry model: [Beech 58P](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58p) (registry code 1152744) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TJ336
- Airframe hours: 2153
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-WB 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harris, John C.
- Registered owner: H.J.W., Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 1992, 26 hours before
- Departed: MEM, MEMPHIS, TN
- Destination: SSI, ST SIMON ISLAND, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 524 total, 31 in this make and model, 326 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 14 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CSG, 25 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 19920715025689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920715025689A), Jul 15, 1992: Beech 58P, Greenville, GA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into area of forecast severe thunderstorms. Turbulence pulled the aircraft apart. Advised route not taken.

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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