# NTSB DEN90FA030: Beech F-90, N9PU, Lincoln, NM, December 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1989, 14:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Lincoln, NM
- Coordinates: 33.489955, -105.379791 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4900&lon=-105.3798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17812
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90FA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17812/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90FA030

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO PILOT DISORIENTATION WHILE CONDUCTING A NON PRECISION INSTRUMENT APPROACH. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT AND MULTIENGINE EXPERIENCE, AND THE EXISTING ADVERSE WEATHER.

## 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 - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES HEARD THE AIRPLANE CIRCLING IN THE VICINITY OF THE NDB. OTHER WITNESSES SAW THE AIRPLANE EXIT THE CLOUD BASE IN A NEAR-VERTICAL DIVE AND IMPACT THE GROUND APRX 1 MILE EAST AND 1/2 MILE NORTH OF THE NDB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9PU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9PU-2013-10-21), registration cancelled 2013-10-21, S/N LA57, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH F-90
- Registry model: [Beech F90](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f90) (registry code 1152909) (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: LA57
- Airframe hours: 921
- Engines: P&W PT6A-135 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: R.F.W., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 21, 1989, 153 hours before
- Departed: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA
- Destination: SRR, RUIDOSO, NM
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SRR, Sierra Bianca Regional, runway 24, 8,100 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 569 total, 92 in this make and model, 305 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SRR, 7 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 19891202048749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891202048749A), Dec 2, 1989: Beech F90, Ruidoso, NM, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control attempting an NDB approach in low clouds and snow, vertical impact.

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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