# NTSB CHI91FA090: Beech F.35, N3822B, Sidney, OH, February 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 5, 1991, 09:57 local (14:57 UTC)
- Place: Sidney, OH
- Coordinates: 40.27938, -84.159172 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2794&lon=-84.1592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14894
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91FA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14894/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91FA090

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.  FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S DISREGARD FOR DIRECTIVES AND OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ravine
  - pull-up - abrupt, pilot in command
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A PRIVATE PILOT DEPARTED WITH OUT A FLIGHT PLAN IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS FOR A DESTINATION 20 MILES NORTH.  THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED 75 FEET ABOVE GROUND FOLLOWING A COUNTRY ROAD LEADING TO THE AIRPORT.  THE PILOT ASKED FOR FIELD ELEVATION ON UNICOM.  THE AIRPORT MANAGER RESPONDED AND INFORMED HIM THE FIELD HAD ZERO VISIBILITY AND CEILING.  IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER, WITNESSES HEARD THE AIRPLANE OVERFLY THE FIELD FOLLOWED BY THE SOUND OF A CRASH.  THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND 250 YEARDS FROM THE FIELD, WHERE IT COLIDED WITH TREES ATOP A STEEPLY RISING BLUFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3822B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3822B-2017-04-04), registration cancelled 2017-04-04, S/N D-4083, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH F.35
- Registry model: [Beech F35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f35) (registry code 1151514) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-4083
- Airframe hours: 4805
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles T. Groff
- Registered owner: Charles T. Groff
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1990, 53 hours before
- Departed: DAY, DAYTON, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: invalid medical for flight; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,000 total, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAY, 20 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 19910205001639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910205001639A), Feb 5, 1991: Beech F35, Sidney, OH, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into trees near destination airport in zero IMC. Had departed day on a special VFR.

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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