# NTSB BFO89FA069: Beech B50, N3688B, Church Creek, MD, August 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1989, 21:20 local (Aug 23, 1989, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Church Creek, MD
- Coordinates: 38.500804, -76.14978 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5008&lon=-76.1498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11470
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89FA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11470/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89FA069

## Probable cause

VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC AND PILOT DISORIENTATION, WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE, DARKNESS, AND THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A VFR FLIGHT, WHEN ACCORDING TO RADAR DATA, THE ACFT ENTERED AN AREA OVER THE CHESAPEAKE BAY REPORTED AS IMC. THE ACFT DESCENDED RAPIDLY AND CRASHED IN A WOODED SWAMP AREA JUST EAST OF THE BAY. THE PLT WAS RETURNING TO THE ARPT, WHERE THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED EARLIER. THE PLT OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING ABOUT 9 HRS EARLIER AND HE WAS ADVISED OF MARGINAL VFR FORECAST UP TO 1800 HRS. THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE THAT THE PLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. THE PLT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED AND HE OBTAINED A MULTI-ENGINE RATING 2 MONTHS BEFORE THE   ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3688B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3688B-2012-11-08), registration cancelled 2012-11-08, S/N CH-102, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B50
- Registry model: [Beech B50](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b50) (registry code 1152506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-435C&D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-435c-d-series) (registry code 41521, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CH-102
- Airframe hours: 6185
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-435-C2 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gregory W. Garrett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 1989, 41 hours before
- Departed: N80, OCEAN CITY, MD
- Destination: LEONARDTOWN, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 451 total, 27 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Observed at: SBY

## 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 19890822030429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890822030429A), Aug 22, 1989: Beech B50, Church Creek, MD, Destroyed, 3 fatal. VFR flight entered IMC over bay. Lost control. Impacted swamp. No weather brief. No IFR rating. New MEL pilot. Dark

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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