# NTSB CHI92FAMS1: Beech 95-BE55, N1123B, Benton Harbor, MI, February 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1992, 11:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Benton Harbor, MI
- Coordinates: 42.110946, -86.440238 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1109&lon=-86.4402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15316
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FAMS1
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15316/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FAMS1

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Missing aircraft, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING VECTORED FOR THE BACK COURSE LOCALIZER APPROACH TO RUNWAY 09 AT BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN, WHEN RADAR CONTACT AND COMMUNICATION WAS LOST.  THIS APPROACH IS ENTIRELY OVER THE WATERS OF LAKE MICHIGAN.  DURING SEARCH OPERATIONS A COAST GUARD HELICOPTER FOUND AN OIL SHEEN AND THREE AIRCRAFT TIRES WITH PORTIONS OF THE LANDING GEAR ATTACHED TO THEM  ALONG THE LOCALIZER TRACK.  FURTHER SEARCH EFFORTS FAILED TO PRODUCE ANY ADDITIONAL WRECKAGE OR HUMAN REMAINS.  ONE MONTH AND ELEVEN DAYS AFTER THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE AIRCRAFT, A BODY WHICH WAS POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED AS THAT OF THE PASSENGER ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND WASHED UP ON THE SHORE.  EIGHT DAYS AFTER THE DISCOVERY OF THE PASSENGERS REMAINS, A BODY POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED AS THAT OF THE PILOT WAS ALSO FOUND WASHED UP ON THE SHORE OF THE LAKE.  AUTOPSY REVEALED THE CAUSE OF DEATH IN BOTH CASES WAS DROWNING.  THE AIRCRAFT IS STILL MISSING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1123B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1123B-1999-06-28), registration cancelled 1999-06-28, S/N TC-874 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95-BE55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-874
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stanley P. Macklin
- Registered owner: Stanley P. Macklin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: C20, BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BEH, 5 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 19920203001659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920203001659A), Feb 3, 1992: Beech 95B55, Benton Harbor, MI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Radar contact lost over lake on practice ILS approach. Landing gear and bodies recovered. Further wreckage not found

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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