# NTSB CHI86MA047: Beech B-60, N24RT, Carp Lake, MI, December 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: December 14, 1985, 15:38 local (20:38 UTC)
- Place: Carp Lake, MI
- Coordinates: 45.689155, -84.790557 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6892&lon=-84.7906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13534
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86MA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13534/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86MA047

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - comm/nav equipment - erratic (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DRG ARRIVAL, THE PLT REPORTED A PROBLEM WITH HIS #1 NAV, BUT SAID HE WOULD TRY TO MAKE AN ILS APCH. HE SAID HE WOULD RETURN TO PONTIAC, IF HIS ILS DID NOT WORK. ARTCC CLEARED HIM FOR THE ILS RWY 32 APCH & INSTRUCTED HIM TO CONTACT PELLSTON RADIO (FSS). AT 1525, HE CALLED THE FSS & REPORTED HE WAS 20 MI SOUTH. AT APRX 1534, THE FSS SPECIALIST HEARD AN ACFT FLY OVER, BUT DID NOT KNOW IF IT WAS N24RT. HE ASKED THE PLT IF HE WAS MAKING A MISSED APCH. THE PLT GAVE A NEGATIVE REPLY & REPORTED HE WAS PICKING UP THE GLIDE SLOPE, THEN SAID HE WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH HIS #1 NAV. A WITNESS ABOUT 6 MI NORTH & WEST OF THE ARPT SAW THE ACFT ON A NORTHERLY HEADING AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL. ABOUT 1 MIN LATER, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES, CRASHED & BURNED APRX 8 MI FROM THE ARPT AT AN APRX ELEV OF 900 FT. THE ARPT ELEV WAS 720 FT. THE NAV EQUIPMENT WAS TOO BADLY DAMAGED DRG THE ACDNT TO BE TESTED. ACCORDING TO THE ACFT RADIO LOG, THE LAST VOR CHECK WAS ON 9/10/83. THE PLT HAD LOGGED 5.4 HRS OF INSTRUMENT TIME DRG THE PREV 6 MOS, BUT HAD NOT LOGGED ANY APCHS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24RT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24RT-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N P-329, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B-60
- Registry model: [Beech B-60](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b-60) (registry code 1153605) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-541 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-541-series) (registry code 41536, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P-329
- Airframe hours: 2684
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-541-E1C4 380 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Commander Charter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 1985, 16 hours before
- Departed: PIK, PONTIAC, MI
- Destination: PLN, PELLSTON, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PLN, Emmet County, runway 32, 6,512 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 910 total, 9 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PLN, 8 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 19851214061979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851214061979A), Dec 14, 1985: Beech B60, Carp Lake, MI, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Pilot reported problem with number one navigation radio. Went past, missed approach point and struck trees.

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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