# NTSB CHI91FA291: Beech 95, N393B, Killdeer, ND, September 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1991, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Killdeer, ND
- Location: 47.3688° N, 102.7462° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Killdeer, ND, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3688&lon=-102.7462&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14918
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91FA291
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14918/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91FA291

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DISREGARDING THE WEATHER FORECAST; HIS IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISION TO CONTINUE A VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS; AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM TERRAIN. THE MOUNTAINOUS HILLY TERRAIN AND LOW CEILING WERE FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - weather forecast - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A PILOT WITH OVER 17,000 HOURS FLIGHT TIME RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEF WHICH REPORTED LOW CEILINGS ALONG HIS PLANNED ROUTE OF FLIGHT, AND VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. HE ELECTED TO GO VFR AND DID NOT FILE A FLIGHT PLAN. LOW CEILINGS WERE RIGHT WHERE THE WEATHER BRIEFER SAID THEY WERE REPORTED TO BE, AND THEY WERE OBSCURING THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN. THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN ABOUT 100 FEET BELOW THE CREST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N393B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N393B-1992-02-07), registration cancelled 1992-02-07, S/N TD5 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95
- Registry model: [Beech 95](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95) (registry code 1153402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TD-5
- Airframe hours: 3590
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James H. Morten
- Registered owner: Dakota Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1991, 60 hours before
- Departed: 95D, BEULAH, ND
- Destination: MLK, MALTA, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 17,000 total, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast

## 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 19910911039279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910911039279A), Sep 11, 1991: Beech 95, Killdeer, ND, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into cloud obscured mountain. VFR not advised on preflight weather briefing.

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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