# NTSB BFO86FA038: Beech 95-B 55, N133P, Lynchburg, VA, July 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1986, 23:39 local (Jul 2, 1986, 03:39 UTC)
- Place: Lynchburg, VA
- Coordinates: 37.360473, -79.220672 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3605&lon=-79.2207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11212
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86FA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11212/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FA038

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, circling (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - missed approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - underconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, circling (ifr)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT FILED AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN INTO KNOWN AND FORECAST IFR WEATHER. DURING HIS SECOND ILS APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT, AFTER THE CONTROL TOWER HAD CLOSED, HE FAILED TO UTILIZE THE AIRCRAFT RADIO TO ILLUMINATE THE APPROACH LIGHTING SYSTEM. THE PILOT FAILED TO LOCATE THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT IN SUFFICIENT TIME TO COMPLETE THE ILS LANDING. THEREAFTER, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CIRCLE UNDERNEATH THE 300 FOOT CEILING ON THE DARK NIGHT AND THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO TREES ON THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N133P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N133P-2009-11-10), registration cancelled 2009-11-10, S/N TC-829, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95-B 55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC829
- Airframe hours: 3741
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470 L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael R. Drinkard
- Registered owner: Graf Bae Farm, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1985, 62 hours before
- Departed: BUF, BUFFALO, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LYH, Lynchburg Municipal, runway 3, 5,799 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 275 total, 79 in this make and model, 188 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LYH

## 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 19860701087369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860701087369A), Jul 1, 1986: Beech 95B55, Lynchburg, VA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Non IFR rated pilot missed approach. Began a circle of airport. Lost control and hit trees. Runway lights not on.

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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