# NTSB FTW85FA084: Beech A36, N2049G, Lake Charles, LA, December 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 23, 1984, 22:35 local (Dec 24, 1984, 04:35 UTC)
- Place: Lake Charles, LA
- Location: 30.5645° N, 93.5176° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from LAKE CHARLES RGNL (LCH), within about 11 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5645&lon=-93.5176&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21518
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21518/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA084

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate initial training, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED 3 MILES SHORT OF THE LAKE CHARLES AIRPORT WHILE ON AN ILS APPROACH. INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, AND AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED BY THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT. A REVIEW OF THE RADIO TRANSCRIPTS INVOLVING N2049G AND APPROACH CONTROL REVEALED CONFUSION ON THE PART OF THE PLT CONCERNING INSTRUMENT FLIGHT PROCEDURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2049G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-1406
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry B. Greenberg
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BTR
- Destination: 6R1, WELSH, LA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LCH, Lake Charles, runway 15, 6,500 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LCH, 3 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 19841223075199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841223075199A), Dec 23, 1984: Beech A36, Lake Charles, LA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. VFR pilot filed IFR under another name. Flew in IMC conditions, shot ILS approach, hit power lines, poles, ground.

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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