# NTSB BFO89FA074: Beech C50, N4917B, Hagerstown, MD, August 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1989, 08:38 local (12:38 UTC)
- Place: Hagerstown, MD
- Coordinates: 39.630023, -77.709938 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6300&lon=-77.7099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11471
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89FA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11471/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89FA074

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AS A RESULT OF SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AFTER INTENTIONALLY FLYING INTO INSTRUMENT FLIGHT CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S OVER CONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY AND THE OBSCURED WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH EXISTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - residential area
  - object - wire,static
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT AND NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT PASSENGER WERE FLYING TO ANDREWS AFB TO ATTEND AN AIRSHOW WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. A FSS WEATHER BRIEFING WAS OBTAINED DURING WHICH THE PLT WAS INFORMED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. OBSCURED CEILING AND FOG EXISTED AT THE DEPARTURE ARPT AND OVER THE MOUNTAIN RIDGES ENROUTE. THE PLT FILED VFR AND REQUESTED A SPECIAL VFR TO GET OUT OF THE CONTROL ZONE AT THE DEPARTURE APRT. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, APRX 3 MILES FROM THE ARPT, THE ACFT DESCENDED NEAR VERTICAL AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT SOUNDED 'LOUD' AS IT CROSSED OVER HEAD PRIOR TO IMPACTING THE TERRAIN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WITH EITHER THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE. THE PLT HAD RECENTLY FAILED HIS IFR FLT TEST DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH ALTITUDE AND ATTITUDE CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4917B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4917B-1990-07-23), registration cancelled 1990-07-23, S/N CH315 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C50
- Registry model: [Beech C-50](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-50) (registry code 1152510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CH-315
- Airframe hours: 5129
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-F4A6 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward A. Erickson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 29, 1989, 22 hours before
- Departed: HGR, HAGERSTOWN, MD
- Destination: ADW, CAMP SPRINGS, MD
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 938 total, 342 in this make and model, 233 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HGR, 3 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 19890827031679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890827031679A), Aug 27, 1989: Beech 50, Hagerstown, MD, Destroyed, 2 fatal. VFR not advised. Filed special VFR to depart. Lost control and crashed 3 miles from hgr. Had failed IFR test prior.

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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