# NTSB CHI99LA008: Beech 65-B80, N138BA, Brainerd, MN, October 17, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1998, 00:33 local (05:33 UTC)
- Place: Brainerd, MN
- Coordinates: 46.349517, -94.189987 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3495&lon=-94.1900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 45130
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45130/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA008

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath and his diversion of attention during a critical phase of flight.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot said that during the ILS approach he reached a point where he thought he should be seeing the approach lights.  He said that he checked the radio to determine if it was on the correct frequency.  He said that he realized that the transmit switch was selected to the wrong radio and when he returned his attention to the instruments, he realized that he had allowed the airplane to descend low on the glide path.  He said that before he could react, the airplane impacted the terrain.

## Factual narrative

On October 17, 1998, at 0033 central daylight time, a Beech 65-B80, N138BA, registered to Bemidji Aviation Services, Inc., of Bemidji, Minnesota, and operated by an instrument rated commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the terrain one-quarter mile short of runway 23 at Brainerd, Minnesota.  The pilot who received minor injuries reported that his attention was diverted during the approach and the airplane accident occurred in a controlled descent into the terrain.  The flight was operating in instrument meteorological conditions on an IFR flight plan.  The 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight departed Minneapolis, Minnesota, at 2355 on October 16, 1998.

In his written statement, the pilot said that when he reached the point he thought he should be seeing the approach lights, he checked the radio to determine if it was on the correct frequency.  He said that he realized that the transmit switch was selected on the wrong radio and when he returned his attention to the instruments he realized that he had allowed the airplane to descend below the glide path.  He said before he could react, the airplane impacted the terrain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N138BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N138BA-2012-04-25), registration cancelled 2012-04-25, S/N LD-361, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech 65-B80
- Registry model: [Beech 65-B80](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-65-b80) (registry code 1152812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IGSO-540-B1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-igso-540-b1a) (registry code 41535, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: LD-361
- Airframe hours: 8119
- Engines: Lycoming IO-720-A1B 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bemidji Aviation Serv, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 9, 1998, 11 hours before
- Departed: MSP, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Destination: BRD
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,738 total, 1,813 in this make and model, 4,605 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 0.25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BRD, 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 19981017029469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981017029469A), Oct 17, 1998: Beech 65B80, Brainerd, MN, Substantial damage. (.19) On October 17, 1998, at 0033 central daylight time, a Beech 65-B80, N138BA, registered to bemidji aviation services, inc. of bemidji, Minnesota, and…

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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