# NTSB DEN90LA037: Beech 35, N9K, Tularosa, NM, December 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1989, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Tularosa, NM
- Coordinates: 33.070747, -106.020751 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0707&lon=-106.0208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17877
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17877/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA037

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE ROAD SIGN DURING THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.  THE ADVERSE WEATHER WAS A REALTED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway
  - object - sign (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE PLT RCVD A WX BRIEFING & WAS WARNED OF MARGINAL WX CONDS ALONG THE ROUTE.  WHILE IN FLT, HE INADVERTENTLY FLEW INTO IMC & ELECTED TO LAND ON A PAVED ROAD.  HE RPRTD THAT DURING THE LANDING, HE 'FAILED TO SEE A HIGHWAY MARKER AT THE EDGE OF THE PAVEMENT' & THE ACFT'S LEFT WING TIP HIT THE MARKER & WAS DAMAGED.  ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE WX IN THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AREA WAS: 500 TO 1000 FT OVC, VIS 4 MI WITH LIGHT RAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9K-1992-05-18), registration cancelled 1992-05-18, S/N D19 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Registry model: [Beech 35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35) (registry code 1151502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D19
- Airframe hours: 7669
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-11 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Griffin, Thomas E.
- Registered owner: Griffin, Thomas E
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1989, 33 hours before
- Departed: ABO, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: ALM, ALAMOGORDO, NM
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,808 total, 1,808 in this make and model, 1,776 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HMN, 35 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 19891229054389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891229054389A), Dec 29, 1989: Beech B35, Tularosa, NM, Substantial damage. Flew into worsening weather following road. Struck a road sign landing in a restricted area. VFR not recommended.

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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