# NTSB CHI91FA126: Beech F.33A, N8012T, Chippewa Falls, WI, April 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1991, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Chippewa Falls, WI
- Coordinates: 44.929702, -91.389953 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9297&lon=-91.3900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14898
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91FA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14898/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91FA126

## Probable cause

THE FIRST PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT IN KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER.  FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FIRST PILOT'S POOR WEATHER EVALUATION, THE SECOND PILOT'S COMPLACENCY AND THE FIRST PILOT'S SELF INDUCED PRESSURE TO COMPLETE A CHECKOUT IN MODEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - icing conditions
  - weather evaluation - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - intentional, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - not selected
- In flight collision with object, circling (ifr)
  - gear extension - performed, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

TWO INSTRUMENT RATED PILOTS INTENDED A CHECKOUT IN MODEL FOR THE FIRST PILOT.  TEMPERATURES NEAR FREEZING, LOW CEILINGS AND LOW VISIBILITY IN PRECIPITATION EXISTED OVER THE AREA.  THE FIRST PILOT FILED AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN FOR A 30 MINUTE, LOCAL FLIGHT.  AIRBORNE, FLIGHT TWICE AMENDED ITS CRUISE ALTITUDE, ITS DESTINATION TWICE AND ARRIVED BACK AT ORIGIN FOR APPROACH.  THE PILOT REPORTED HAVING 'QUITE A BIT OF ICE' BEFORE CLEARANCE FOR HIS APPROACH.  THE AIRCRAFT, CONFIGURED TO LAND, FLEW INTO TREES UPRIGHT, IN A SHALLOW DESCENT WHILE CIRCLING FROM THE APPROACH COURSE TO THE OPPOSITE RUNWAY.  ENGINE CONTROLS WERE FULL FORWARD AND POWER WAS EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8012T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8012T-1991-05-14), registration cancelled 1991-05-14, S/N CE1504 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH F.33A
- Registry model: [Beech F33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (registry code 1151425) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CE 1504
- Airframe hours: 64
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 10-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Truckaline Suspension Centers
- Registered owner: Truckaline Suspension Centers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1991, 5 hours before
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: EAU, Eau Claire, runway 4, 7,301 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 208 total, 123 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft
- Temperature: 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAU, 1 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 19910409009569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910409009569A), Apr 9, 1991: Beech F33A, Eau Claire, WI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Airframe icing en route. Struck trees on ILS approach. Server icing in area. No weather brief. No deicing equipment

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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