# NTSB DCA91MA042: Beech C99, N7217L, Birmingham, AL, July 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1991, 18:12 local (23:12 UTC)
- Place: Birmingham, AL
- Coordinates: 33.52061, -86.810432 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5206&lon=-86.8104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 13 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15952
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA91MA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15952/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA91MA042

## Probable cause

THE DECISION OF THE CAPTAIN TO INITIATE AND CONTINUE AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH INTO CLEARLY IDENTIFIED THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE FROM WHICH THE FLIGHTCREW WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH OBSTACLES AND THE TERRAIN. (NTSB REPORT AAR-92/01)

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - object - residence

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO HOUSES WHILE ON AN ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 5 AT THE BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT. THE WEATHER BRIEFING DATA THAT THE CAPTAIN RECEIVED IN MOBILE WAS ACCURATE, ADVISING HIM TO EXPECT THUNDERSTORMS IN THE BIRMINGHAM AREA. BIRMINGHAM ATIS INFORMATION WHISKEY AND X-RAY, MENTIONING THUNDERSTORMS, WAS ALSO ACCURATE, AND THE FLIGHTCREW HEARD THEM, AS WELL AS INFORMATION FROM THE APPROACH CONTROLLER THAT THE AIRPORT WAS EXPERIENCING THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7217L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7217L-2012-07-19), registration cancelled 2012-07-19, S/N U-226 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C99
- Registry model: [Beech C-99](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-99) (registry code 1154006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U226
- Engines: P&W PT6A-36 650 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: L'Express Airlines, Inc.
- Registered owner: L'Express Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 20, 1991
- Departed: MOB, MOBILE, AL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BHM, Birmingham Airport, runway 5, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,141 total, 553 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM, 2 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 19910710027039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910710027039A), Jul 10, 1991: Beech C99, Birmingham, AL, Destroyed, 13 fatal. Entered dark clouds severe turbulence on ILS approach. Lost control crashed into homes. Storm depicted on radar.

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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