# NTSB FTW86FA028: Beech B33, N8948M, Arlington, TX, December 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 30, 1985, 07:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Arlington, TX
- Coordinates: 32.719253, -97.079345 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7193&lon=-97.0793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21883
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21883/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA028

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

INSPITE OF AN ADVERSE WEATHER FORECAST, THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT TOOK OFF INTO PRE-DAWN FOG AND LOW CEILINGS. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A STEEP DESCENDING TURN AFTER BEING OBSERVED MANEUVERING AT A LOW ALTITUDE. NO ENG, AIRFRAME, OR INSTRUMENT MALFUNCTIONS WERE DISCOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8948M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8948M-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N CD-723, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B33
- Registry model: [Beech 35-B33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-b33) (registry code 1151406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CD723
- Airframe hours: 5293
- Engines: CONTINENTAL I0-470-K 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glennn Barnett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 14, 1985, 24 hours before
- Destination: H71, PRYOR, OK
- Airport: F54, Arlington Municipal, runway 16, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 600 total, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 16 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 19851230065959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851230065959A), Dec 30, 1985: Beech 35B33, Arlington, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Took off into low ceiling and fog. Uncontrolled descent to ground impact. No mechanical malfunction found.

## Other investigations on N8948M (2)

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.

- [NTSB CHI73FET12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI73FET12), Dec 4, 1972: Beech 35-B33 (N8948M), South Bend, IN, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI66F0523](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66F0523), Jan 15, 1966: Beechcraft 35B33 (N8948M), Elkhart, IN, substantial damage

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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