# NTSB ATL93LA002: Beech E-55, N10BS, Chattanooga, TN, October 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1992, 17:04 local (21:04 UTC)
- Place: Chattanooga, TN
- Coordinates: 35.00069, -85.229736 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0007&lon=-85.2297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8687
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8687/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA002

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF AN UNKNOWN PERSON TO FOLLOW PROPER PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES BY OPERATING A RADIO-CONTROLLED MODEL PLANE IN AIRPORT TRAFFIC PATTERN AIRSPACE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - other (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, other person (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON SHORT FINAL FOR A VISUAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 15. HE OBSERVED AN APPROACHING OBJECT THAT APPEARED TO BE A RADIO-CONTROLLED MODEL AIRPLANE. HE PULLED UP AND BANKED TO THE LEFT; HOWEVER, THE OBJECT COLLIDED WITH THE UNDERSIDE OF THE RIGHT WING. THE AILERONS WERE MOMENTARILY JAMMED, BUT FORCE ON THE CONTROL YOKE FREED THEM. HE EXECUTED A GO-AROUND AND LANDED THE AIRPLANE ON RUNWAY 20. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED A HOLE IN THE UNDERSIDE OF THE RIGHT WING, A DESTROYED RIB, AND A NICKED AILERON CABLE. THERE WAS ALSO A BULGE IN THE UPPER WING SKIN. A SMALL SLIVER OF WOOD WAS FOUND INSIDE THE DAMAGED WING SECTION. A SEARCH FOR THE MODEL AIRPLANE AND ITS OPERATORS WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10BS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N10BS), registered now, S/N TE-841, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E-55
- Registry model: [Beech E-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e-55) (registry code 1152732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE-841
- Airframe hours: 1582
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Oehmig, Von D.
- Registered owner: Oehmig, Von D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1992, 20 hours before
- Departed: SGF, SPRINGFIELD, MO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CHA, Lovell Field, runway 15, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,511 total, 310 in this make and model, 2,246 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 1 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 19921002040029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921002040029A), Oct 2, 1992: Beech E55, Chattanooga, TN, Substantial damage. On final wing was struck by what appeared to be model airplane. Landed safely with damaged wing and aileron.

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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