# NTSB FTW90FA002: Cessna 550, N53CC, Hurdle Mills, NC, October 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1989, 22:07 local (Oct 2, 1989, 02:07 UTC)
- Place: Hurdle Mills, NC
- Location: 36.2732° N, 79.0475° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hurdle Mills, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2732&lon=-79.0475&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 18, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22995
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22995/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA002

## Probable cause

IMPAIRMENT OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) DUE TO DRUGS/MEDICATION, CHEMOTHERAPY AND FATIGUE; FAILURE OF THE PIC TO ASSURE THAT THE IFR (INSTRUMENT) APCH PROCEDURE WAS FOLLOWED; AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE (MDA).  INADEQUATE SURVEILLANCE OF THE OPERATION BY COMPANY/OPERATOR/MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - light condition - dark night
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather condition - fog
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53CC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53CC-1990-07-19), registration cancelled 1990-07-19, S/N 5500400 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 550
- Registry model: [Cessna 550](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-550) (registry code 2076604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 550-400
- Airframe hours: 5111
- Engines: P&W JT15D-4 2500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gte South, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 14, 1989, 88 hours before
- Departed: TPA, TAMPA, FL
- Destination: TDF, ROXBORO, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: TDF, Person County, runway 6, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,986 total, 2,643 in this make and model, 6,236 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 26 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 19891001037149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891001037149A), Oct 1, 1989: Cessna 550, Roxboro, NC, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Descended below mda on NDB approach brokeup in trees. Pilot on drugs for cancer therapy also positive marijuana.

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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