# NTSB FTW89GA170: Beech A35, N566B, Escondido, CA, September 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1989, 11:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Escondido, CA
- Coordinates: 33.220973, -117.099449 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2210&lon=-117.0994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22792
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89GA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22792/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89GA170

## Probable cause

SPATIAL DISORIENTATION OF THE PILOT AFTER HE INITIATED FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS, AND HIS EXCEEDING THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE ATTEMPTED RECOVERY.  RELATED FACTORS WERE:  THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL AND RECENT INSTRUMENT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, AND THE OPERATOR'S INADEQUATE RECURRENT TRAINING PROGRAM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate training(emergency procedure(s)), company/operator management (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - separation
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - overload
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CLEARED FOR A CLIMB TO CRUISE AND WAS ADVISED TO MAINTAIN VFR. A POST-ACCIDENT WEATHER STUDY INDICATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN IMC CONDITIONS FROM ABOUT 3000 FEET THROUGH 7500 FEET MSL. AFTER INITIATING A CLIMB ON COURSE, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AT 7100 FEET AND IT ENTERED A RIGHT DESCENDING SPIRAL. DURING THE UNCONTROLLED DESCENT, JUST PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT, THE OUTER 1/2 OF THE RIGHT WING SEPARATED IN OVERSTRESS. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT HAD LOGGED A TOTAL OF 5 HOURS OF ACTUAL AND 14 HOURS OF HOOD TIME, THE LAST OF WHICH WAS LOGGED 2-1/2 YEARS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE OPERATOR DID NOT HAVE AN INSTRUMENT OR INADVERTENT IMC TRAINING PROGRAM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N566B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N566B-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N D-1586, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A35
- Registry model: [Beech A35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a35) (registry code 1151504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-1586
- Airframe hours: 6261
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Operator: U.S. Coast Guard
- Registered owner: Robert J. Duffield
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1989, 107 hours before
- Departed: SDB, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Destination: L66, CORONA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,390 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 2,367 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRQ, 18 nm away

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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