BFO92FA109

About 5 minutes after takeoff, the pilot was at 4000 feet msl on a southerly heading when Air Traffic Control instructed him to make a 360-degree turn. The turn was to delay the flight from proceeding to the next and adjoining air traffic airspace until approval was obtained. During the turn the airplane descended and collided with the terrain in a wooded area. The accident site weather consisted of low clouds, heavy rain, and poor visibility. The investigation did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction.

History of the Flight On July 23, 1992 at about 1015 eastern daylight time, N66829, a Beech 58 "Baron" airplane, a personal flight, crashed at Denver, Pennsylvania. Instrument meteorological conditions existed. The airplane was on an instrument flight plan. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. The departure point was Reading Pennsylvania. The destination was Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

The pilot received a preflight weather briefing from Williamsport Flight Service Station at 0831 edt. He filed for a departure time of 0930 edt and a cruise altitude of 8000 feet.

The pilot first radioed the Reading Air Traffic control tower at 0957 edt. He received an instrument clearance and was cleared to taxi for takeoff on runway 36 at 1004 edt. The pilot was cleared to 4000 feet on a southerly heading. At about 1009 edt, the pilot reported he was in "IMC" (instrument meteorological conditions).

At 1014 the air traffic controller radioed "Baron eight two nine, make a right turn three sixty, Harrisburg is unable to take the handoff at this time. The pilot replied , "Make a right ah three sixty and ah." The controller radioed "Baron eight two nine that's turn right heading three six zero this'll be vectors delaying vectors to keep you in may airspace. The pilot answered, "Ah eight two nine" and this was his last known transmission, which occurred at 1012 edt. The controller's attempts to regain radio contact with the pilot were unsuccessful.

Witnesses reported they heard an airplane in weather conditions described as heavy rain with poor visibility and low clouds. Several witnesses heard engine sounds preceding the sound of a crash.

Pilot Information The pilot held a private pilot certificate with multiengine and instrument ratings, and according to his logbook, he had been flying for about three years. He had about 790 hours of total flight time, including about 250 hours in type. He had about 157 hours of instrument time, of which 53 hours were actual instrument time. He had 25 hours of flight time in the preceding 90 days, including 2 hours of instrument time.

Aircraft Information The 1979 year model airplane had over 3100 hours of total time. The last annual inspection was done six days before the accident.

Meteorological Information The surface weather observation for Reading Airport was the following: sky and ceiling, 600 feet overcast; visibility, 2 miles in fog and rain; temperature, 65 degrees F; dew point, 62 degrees F; wind, 010 degrees at 6 knots; altimeter setting, 30.10 ins/hg.

Wreckage and Impact Information The airplane crashed in a wooded area on uprising terrain. The wreckage was strewn a distance of about 300 feet, and oriented on a 360 degree magnetic heading. The examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of mechanical malfunction. The examination revealed evidence that the flaps and landing gear were retracted. The propeller blades exhibited torsional damage.

Medical and Pathological Information An autopsy of the pilot was done by the Pennsylvania State Medical Examiner Office on July 24, 1992. Toxicological tests done by the FAA were negative for alcohol, drugs, and carbon monoxide.