# NTSB CHI90LA024: Beech A36, N951V, Angola, IN, November 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1989, 19:40 local (Nov 9, 1989, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Angola, IN
- Coordinates: 41.63964, -84.999099 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6396&lon=-84.9991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14590
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14590/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA024

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FOLLOW IFR PROCEDURES AND MAINTAIN THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE (MDA).  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  DARKNESS AND ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - open field
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL AT NGT, THE PLT WAS CLRD FOR AN NDB RWY 5 APCH.  THE NDB WAS LOCATED AT THE ARPT, JUST SW OF THE RWY. THE PLT STATED THAT HE 'COMPLETED (THE) NDB APPROACH, WHICH FAILED AT MINIMUMS. ENTERED CLEAR AIR ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER ADF REVERSAL . . .'   HE SAID HE THEN MADE A 180 DEG REVERSAL (LEFT TURN) AND MANEUVERED TO GET REESTABLISHED ON THE NDB COURSE ABT 3.9 MI FM THE ARPT, BUT HE COULD NOT RECALL ANYTHING BEYOND THAT POINT.  AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT HAD DSCNDD & CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD IN THAT AREA.  MDA FOR THE APCH WAS 1540 FT.  THE ARPT ELEV WAS 995 FT. THE ARPT MANAGER ESTIMATED THE CEILING AT THE ARPT WAS BELOW MINIMUMS.  NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR NDB WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N951V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N951V-1992-10-26), registration cancelled 1992-10-26, S/N E755 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-755
- Airframe hours: 2403
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Dynamation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Dynamation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1989, 92 hours before
- Departed: PWK, WHEELING, IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Tri-State Steuben County, runway 5, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 2,875 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 12 knots
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FWA, 40 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 19891108046989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891108046989A), Nov 8, 1989: Beech A36, Angola, IN, Substantial damage. Descended into ground impact during a NDB approach four miles short of airport weather at minimums and dark night.

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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