# NTSB CHI83FA402: Beech 58P, N88AX, Cassopolis, MI, August 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1983, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Cassopolis, MI
- Coordinates: 41.910091, -85.999771 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9101&lon=-85.9998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12021
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA402
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12021/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA402

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT ENTERED A FLAT SPIN WHILE PRACTICING VMC MANEUVERS. THE RIGHT FUEL VALVE WAS IN THE OFF POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N88AX (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 58P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TJ142
- Airframe hours: 891
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-WB 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: South Side Landfill, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 13, 1983, 146 hours before
- Departed: AZO, KALAMAZOO, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,385 total, 425 in this make and model, 6,131 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AZO, 25 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 19830830045059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830830045059A), Aug 30, 1983: Beech 58P, Cassopolis, MI, Destroyed. Aircraft entered flat spin and crashed while practicing VMC demonstration maneuvers.

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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