# NTSB CHI92LA209: Beech E35, N3488B, Escanaba, MI, July 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1992, 17:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Escanaba, MI
- Coordinates: 45.740184, -87.079544 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7402&lon=-87.0795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15497
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15497/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA209

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO FLY INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - weather condition - thunderstorm
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms)
  - in flight weather avoidance assistance - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PILOT ON VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED HEAVY PRECIPITATION BETWEEN HIS AIRPLANE AND HIS DESTINATION.  WHILE MANEUVERING TO CIRCUMNAVIGATE THE PRECIPITATION, HE SAW A BREAK BETWEEN TWO CELLS.  SEVERE TURBULENCE WAS ENCOUNTERED WHEN HE FLEW BETWEEN THE CELLS.  STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE EMPENNAGE OF THE AIRPLANE WAS DISCOVERED AFTER LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3488B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3488B-1993-04-28), registration cancelled 1993-04-28, S/N D3709 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E35
- Registry model: [Beech E35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e35) (registry code 1151512) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D3709
- Airframe hours: 6039
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David C. Lee
- Registered owner: David C. Lee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 1992, 24 hours before
- Departed: 3CK, LAKE-IN-HILLS, IL
- Destination: ESC, ESCANABA, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,965 total, 255 in this make and model, 1,807 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920717026629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920717026629A), Jul 17, 1992: Beech E35, Escanaba, MI, Substantial damage. Extreme turbulence between two cells and severe vibration. Landed safe. Found impannage damage from encounter.

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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