# NTSB ATL92LA159: Beech A36, N416HC, Guntersville, AL, August 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1992, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Guntersville, AL
- Coordinates: 34.349494, -86.269615 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3495&lon=-86.2696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8646
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8646/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA159

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE EVALUATION OF THE IN FLIGHT WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND HIS SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRCRAFT BEING EXCEEDED. FACTORS WERE CLOUDS, THE ASSOCIATED TURBULENCE, AND THE HAIL IN THE CLOUDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - hail (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PROCEEDING TO HIS DESTINATION AT FLIGHT LEVEL 210, BETWEEN CLOUD LAYERS. HE WAS APPROACHING A CLOUD CELL, AND REQUESTED TO DEVIATE TO THE NORTH. THE PILOT NOTICED NOTHING ON HIS WEATHER RADAR, AND HE DECIDED TO CONTINUE ON COURSE AFTER A VFR AIRCRAFT AHEAD OF HIM REPORTED NO SIGNIFICANT TURBULENCE. AS HE ENTERED THE CLOUD FORMATION, THERE WAS 'ONE VERY HARD HIT OF TURBULENCE', WITH ASSOCIATED ICE AND HAIL. HE THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. AFTER A LOSS OF ABOUT 10,000 FEET OF ALTITUDE, HE WAS ABLE TO REGAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL. DURING THE RECOVERY, HE NOTICED THE AIRSPEED IN EXCESS OF 'RED LINE.' HE LANDED THE AIRPLANE AT A NEARBY AIRPORT WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AN FAA INSPECTOR DETERMINED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS STRUCTURALLY DAMAGED IN FLIGHT. NTAP RADAR DATA SHOWS THAT THE FLIGHT PENETRATED AN AREA OF HEAVY WEATHER RETURNS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N416HC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-2408
- Engines: ALLISON 250B17C 420 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Trees Unlimited, Inc.
- Registered owner: Trees Unlimited, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: LIT, LITTLE ROCK, AR
- Destination: PDK, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,600 total, 102 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 205 in the last 90 days, 105 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HSV, 29 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 19920812031119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920812031119A), Aug 12, 1992: Beech A36TC, Guntersville, AL, Substantial damage. Encountered severe turbulence,heavy rain and hail. Lost control. Exceeded vne. Recovered. Landed safely.

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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