ATL95FA046

The pilot was provided vectors for an ILS runway 20L approach in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). In anticipation of other traffic, the radar controller vectored the aircraft onto a close-in final approach. The aircraft intercepted the localizer about .5 mile outside the outer marker with a 35-degree intercept. The ILS approach gate is defined as being 1 mile outside the outer marker, and aircraft are required to be vectored to intercept at least 2 miles outside the gate. (According to FAA order 7110.65G, the maximum angle of intercept within 2 miles of the approach gate is 20 degrees.) Radar data indicated that, about 2.5 miles from the approach end of the runway, there were erratic heading and altitude excursions. These lasted for about 2 minutes, and then the pilot called a missed approach. During the missed approach, the aircraft entered a descending right turn and crashed. Witnesses reported that the engine was running at high RPM at the time of impact. Examination of the autopilot did not indicate evidence of malfunction or failure. The pilot did not report any aircraft problems. The pilot had just attended a bonanza owner's proficiency course. An instructor for that course said the pilot's skills at instrument flying were poor and that he would not sign off the pilot's instrument competency check.

History of flight

On January 29, 1995, at 1656 eastern standard time, a Beech A36, N3086T, collided with terrain during a missed approach at Chamblee, Georgia. The private pilot was fatally injured, and the aircraft was destroyed. The aircraft was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Instrument meteorological conditions existed at the time, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was in effect for the personal flight. The flight originated in Orlando, Florida, at 1403.

At 1622:00, the pilot of N3086T contacted Atlanta Approach Control, following a handoff from Macon Approach Control. At 1626:50, twin Cessna traffic was called out to N3086T, and the pilot responded that he was "in solid ah i-f..instrument conditions can't see a thing." At 1646:01, the controller inquired "november eight six tango what speed will you be able to give me down final." N3086T responded that he could maintain 120 knots until he lowered his landing gear.

At 1646:41, the radar controller transmitted "november eight six tango turn left heading two eight zero." The pilot acknowledged the heading. At 1648:05, the radar controller instructed, "and ah eight six tango turn right heading ah three zero zero....may turn a little soon three zero zero for just a little bit." The pilot acknowledged the heading assignment. At 1649:01, the radar controller advised, "bonanza eight six tango it'll be a turn in about a mile ah off the three zero zero heading if that won't be too much for you ah about two miles from Chamb now." At 1649:08, the pilot replied, "eight six tango I'll listen for it." At 1649:10, the radar controller transmitted, "eight one six tango turn left turn left heading ah two four five two four five you are two miles from Chamb maintain three thousand until established on the localizer cleared ILS runway two zero left." At 1649:19, the pilot replied, "to two four five intercept the....localizer." The controller then asked N3086T to call when established on the localizer, and the pilot acknowledged, "eight six tango I'll call ya on the localizer." At 1650:23, the radar controller inquired, "eight six tango you on the localizer okay." The pilot then replied, "eight six tango on the localizer....I couldn't get in there." The radar controller then advised N3086T to contact the tower on 120.9, and the pilot replied "one two zero nine thank you."

At 1650:10, the pilot of N3086T established initial contact with Dekalb-Peachtree (PDK) Tower. After being given landing traffic information, the pilot reported, "eight six tango's a missed approach." The local controller inquired, "bonanza eight six tango uh roger just uh continue uh have you started your turn yet sir." The pilot replied, "no sir I haven't I, turning now." The local controller transmitted, "bonanza eight six tango roger remain this frequency for now." The local controller then initiated an interphone call to Atlanta Approach Control to advise them that N3086T had started a right turn. The local controller was advised to put N3086T on a 320 degree heading, at 3,000 feet. This instruction was then relayed to N3086T by the local controller. The local controller then advised Atlanta Approach on the interphone line, "hey satellite I'm not sure what he's doing I told him three twenty but he looks like he's headed back east so just watch him." The local controller then instructed N3086T to contact Atlanta Approach, and there was no response. The local controller again repeated the request, with no response heard.

The pilot of N3086T called the satellite controller at Atlanta at 1654:10 to advise, "Atlanta departure bonanza three zero eight six tango is in I-M-C and I'm calling a missed approach." The radar controller then issued instructions to maintain 3,000 feet, on a heading of 270 degrees. N3086T acknowledged the instructions. At 1654:50, the radar controller transmitted, "okay november three zero eight six tango I want you to turn right heading three...one...zero three one zero." There was no response from the pilot. The controller again called the pilot. At 1655:03, the pilot replied "three zero eight six tango's at three thousand two hundred." The controller transmitted, "okay sir I want you to turn right right turn heading three....one....zero." The pilot acknowledged. At 1655:42, the radar controller transmitted, "okay november eight six tango ah climb and maintain four thousand sir climb and maintain four thousand." There were no further transmissions from the pilot.

Several witnesses heard or saw the accident. Three witnesses reported that the airplane sounded like a remote control, or toy airplane. One witness reported that the aircraft was on its side, with the bottom of the aircraft facing her position, in a nose low attitude. The aircraft then disappeared behind buildings. Another witness stated that he heard the engine stop, then later he heard the engine running, at high rpm. Another witness reported that the engine was running normally, with no smoke or flames visible, but the engine noise was loud. Another witness reported that the aircraft was in a dive, and she observed a thin trail of black smoke.

One local resident came to the accident site on the day following the accident. He reported the following: He was at his residence at the time of the accident, which is located about 3 miles from the Dekalb-Peachtree Airport, directly under the localizer approach course for runway 20L. He believed that he heard the accident aircraft prior to the accident. He stated that he has listened to thousands of aircraft before, and he believed that the aircraft lost control over his house. He heard engine noise, and stated that the engine was running well, but it sounded like an aircraft doing aerobatics. He stated that the widely varying degrees of engine noise sounded like an aircraft performing aerobatics. He did not hear the aircraft crash, but at the time, he believed that something was wrong.

Recorded radar data indicates that at about 1650, N3086T intercepted the localizer (Runway 20L), at about 3,000 feet mean sea level (msl). The aircraft intercepted the localizer about 1/2 nautical mile (nm) outside of the outer marker. N3086T was being sequenced in front of a Mitsubishi MU-300, N119MH. N3086T continued inbound, on the localizer, until about 2.5 (nm) from the approach end of the runway. At this point, at an altitude of about 1,900 feet msl, a descending, right hand turn was observed. During a time frame of about two minutes, erratic heading and altitude excursions were observed (see Recorded Radar Study). The excursions then ceased, and the aircraft was observed about one nm right of the localizer, about 1.5 nm north of the Runway 20L approach end, at 2,700 feet and climbing. The aircraft continued in a gradual climb, until it intercepted the Runway 20L localizer at the middle marker, at an altitude about 3,100 feet. As the aircraft then crossed over the approach end of runway 20L (3,000 feet msl), a descending, right hand turn was observed. The last radar hit from N3086T was noted at 1655:24, at 1,700 feet msl. For additional radar data, refer to the NTSB Specialist's Report of Investigation - Recorded Radar Study, attached to this report.

Personnel information

The pilot, John E. Ramsey, held a private pilot certificate, number 454364838. He held single engine land privileges, and an instrument rating.

During the period of January 27 through 29, 1995 (the weekend of the accident flight), the pilot participated in a proficiency program offered by BPPP (Bonanza/Baron Proficiency Programs), Inc., of Wichita, Kansas. The program was held in Orlando, Florida, and the pilot flew N3086T during the course. The president of BPPP, Inc. reported that the course consists of ground and flight instruction, including about 4 hours of dual instruction. A successful participant can earn a biennial flight review (BFR), instrument competency check (ICC), and Pilot Pr