# NTSB FTW88FA063: Beech S35, N5701K, Lake Charles, LA, February 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1988, 18:35 local (Feb 19, 1988, 00:35 UTC)
- Place: Lake Charles, LA
- Location: 30.2266° N, 93.2174° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lake Charles, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2266&lon=-93.2174&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22538
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22538/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA063

## 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)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - object - bird(s) (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

ACFT CRASHED INTO A LAKE SHORTLY AFTER BEING VECTORED ONTO THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE FOR AN ILS AT 1,500'. TWO CURRENT IFR PLTS WERE ON BOARD. WX AT THE TIME WAS 500' OVC WITH 10 MILES VIS AND NO CONVECTIVE ACTIVITY OR TURBULENCE REPORTED IN THE AREA. NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION AND ALL OF THE NAV FACILITIES WERE GRND AND FLT CHECKED AND FOUND TO OPERATING NORMALLY. THERE WERE NO ABNORMAL TRIM SETTINGS AND THE A/P WAS IN THE STANDBY MODE AT IMPACT. THE APPROACH COURSE WAS IN A PUBLISHED AND ACTIVE MIGRATORY BIRD FLYWAY. LOCAL ORNITHOLOGISTS STATED THAT LARGE FLOCKS OF BIRDS WERE KNOWN TO BE AIRBORNE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5701K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5701K-1989-04-14), registration cancelled 1989-04-14, S/N D7495 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH S35
- Registry model: [Beech S35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (registry code 1151532) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-7495
- Airframe hours: 2734
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA(3) 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Richard L. Schmidt, doing business as Wyandot Pilots, Inc.
- Registered owner: Schmidt, Richard L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 1987, 84 hours before
- Departed: GWO, GREENWOOD, MS
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LCH, Lake Charles Munic., runway 15, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,545 total, 2,157 in this make and model, 2,288 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LCH, 5 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 19880218002709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880218002709A), Feb 18, 1988: Beech S35, Lake Charles, LA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control of aircraft during a ILS approach. Near vertical impact in a lake. Both pilots were instrument rated.

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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