FTW85LA024

NTSB accident investigation · Beech 58P · Beeville, TX · October 26, 1984

Accident · FatalLimited investigationFinal report
Date
October 26, 1984, 00:15 local (05:15 UTC)
Place
Beeville, TX
Injuries
1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N187DABeech 58P
Weather
Instrument (IMC) · Night/dark
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19841026058709A
Case key
21609

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight collision with objectLanding - flare/touchdown
Preflight planning/preparation - inadequatePilot in commandFactor
Notams - not obtainedPilot in commandFactor
Light condition - dark nightFactor
Airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - not operatingFactor
DelayedPilot in commandCause
In-flight planning/decision - improperPilot in commandCause
Fluid,fuel - low levelCause
Precautionary landing - performedPilot in command
Object - tree(s)Factor
Visual/aural detectionPilot in command

Analysis

When the plt called the fss at 1426 EDT & filed an IFR flt plan, the fss person began providing a wx briefing. The plt interrupted the wx briefing & said he would check back later. He called back at 2016 EDT, but talked to another briefer & only asked for thunderstorm info & the houston terminal forcast. At that time, Beeville muni arpt, his destination, was notamed closed. The plt took off at 2044 CDT and did not ask for NOTAM info, either before departing or while en route. During arrival, the plt was cleared for an apch to Beeville at 2355 CDT. However, the lights were out & the plt could not see the arpt. He then elected to divert to nas chase field, but it too was close & its lights were out. By this time, the fuel level was low & the plt elected to make a controlled off-arpt landing. He picked a field, but during the night landing, the acft collided with a file of railroad ties & a small tree. The acft had been airborne aprx 4-1/2 hrs. When he filed a flt plan, he reported 5 hrs of fuel on board.

Aircraft

Registration
N187DA
Reported as
Beech 58P
Category
Airplane
Serial number
TJ-7
Airframe hours
1,165
Engine
Continental TSIO-520-L, 310 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Fire
On-Ground
Flight
Business · Part 91
Registered owner
Adventist Health System
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
100 hour · November 1, 1983 · 120 hours before
Departed
CHA · Chattanooga, TN
Destination
3R0 · Beeville, TX
Flight plan
IFR

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
27
Certificates
Airline transport, Flight instructor
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Flight hours
2,583 total · 450 in this make and model · 2,450 as pilot in command · 170 in the last 90 days · 6 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Instrument (IMC) · Night/dark
Wind
60° at 10 knots
Visibility
7 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
400 ft overcast
Temperature
72 °F, dew point 68 °F
Observed at
BEA, 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.