# NTSB DEN88FA016: Beech A-36, N1257E, Mitchell, SD, October 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1987, 19:27 local (Oct 26, 1987, 01:27 UTC)
- Place: Mitchell, SD
- Coordinates: 43.72974, -98.030662 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7297&lon=-98.0307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17339
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17339/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA016

## 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)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD BEEN CLEARED FOR THE VOR APPROACH AT MITCHELL MUNICIPAL ARPT AT APPROX 1915 CST. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A SLIGHT NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE ABOUT 12 MILES NORTHWEST OF THE ARPT AT THE POINT WHERE THE PROCEDURE TURN INTERSECTED THE INBOUND COURSE. IT WAS A DARK NIGHT WITH LITTLE SURFACE ILLUMINATION AND IMC EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF AIRFRAME, ENG, OR SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1257E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1257E-1990-01-23), registration cancelled 1990-01-23, S/N E623 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A-36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-623
- Airframe hours: 2406
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Timothy J. Roethlesberger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1987, 143 hours before
- Departed: 77D, BIG RAPIDS, MI
- Destination: MHE, MITCHELL, SD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MHE, Mitchell Municipal, runway 12, 6,704 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 642 total, 40 in this make and model, 567 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MHE, 12 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 19871025060739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871025060739A), Oct 25, 1987: Beech A36, Mitchell, SD, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Hit ground while executing a turn for final approach to airport. Indicates pilot neglected to check altitude.

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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