# NTSB CHI96LA259: Beech C24R, N5247M, Hazelton, ND, July 27, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 1996, 22:45 local (Jul 27, 1996, 03:45 UTC) - Place: Hazelton, ND - Coordinates: 46.480102, -100.269256 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4801&lon=-100.2693&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report October 4, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10329 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA259 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10329/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA259 ## Probable cause inadvertent VFR flight by the noninstrument-rated pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain altitude control of the airplane, which resulted in a collision with the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, the adverse weather conditions, the pilot's lack of instrument experience, and spatial disorientation of the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor) - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor) - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, cruise - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause) - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis While en route to Bismarck from the southeast, the noninstrument-rated pilot contacted a Flight Watch station and obtained weather information. He was informed of thunderstorm activity, 30 miles east of Bismarck. He decided to continue the flight, thinking the thunderstorm activity would be to the north. Also, he was informed that the sky condition at Bismarck was 2,500' scattered and 3,500' broken. Since he was at 4,500', he noted that he would have to descend to a lower altitude. At about that time, the airplane entered a cloud, which the pilot thought was a momentary condition. He tried to fly through it, but moments later, the airplane experienced severe turbulence. The pilot reported that he struggled to control the aircraft and was trying to descend below the clouds, while maintaining a course to Bismarck. Subsequently, the airplane impacted a wheat field in a level attitude and skidded to a stop. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 1996, at 2245 central daylight time, a Beech C-24, N5247M, was substantially damaged. The pilot was trying to avoid a line of thunderstorms when he inadvertently encountered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). While attempting to return to visual meteorological conditions, the airplane impacted a wheat field. The private pilot and two passengers reported minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed from the Flying Cloud Airport, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, en route to Garrison, North Dakota. IMC conditions prevailed at the accident site and a Visual Flight Rules flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he had contacted a Flight Watch and was informed of thunderstorm activity in an area 30 miles east of Bismarck, North Dakota. He reported that he decided to continue the flight leg from Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Bismarck, thinking the thunderstorm activity would be to the north and east of his destination. He reported that he entered a cloud and thought it was a momentary condition. He tried to fly through it, but moments later the airplane experienced severe turbulence. He reported that he was struggling to control the aircraft and was trying to descend below the clouds while maintaining a course to Bismarck. The airplane impacted a wheat field in a level attitude and skidded to a stop. ## Aircraft - Registration: N5247M (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Beech C24R - Category: Airplane - Serial number: MC-563 - Airframe hours: 3320 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: P And J Leasing - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 15, 1996, 30 hours before - Departed: FCM, EDEN PRAIRIE, MN - Destination: D05, GARRISON, ND - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 131 total, 8 in this make and model, 58 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark - Wind: 40° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BIS, 40 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 19960727020149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960727020149A), Jul 27, 1996: Beech C24R, Hazelton, ND, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot of this Beechcraft C24 was being operated under CFR 14 part 91. The pilot reported that he observed lighting ahead of his aircraft and was… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.