# NTSB FTW90FA094: Beech B35-C33A, N7968M, Le Compte, LA, April 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1990, 14:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Le Compte, LA
- Coordinates: 31.079294, -92.389991 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0793&lon=-92.3900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23018
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23018/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA094

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S CONTINUATION OF VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A PRE-FLIGHT WEATHER BRIEF AND HIS INADEQUATE EVALUTION OF EXISTING WEATHER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command
  - weather condition - rain
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
  - terrain condition - wet

## Analysis

THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEF. HE DEPARTED UNDER VMC BUT ENCOUNTERED, AND WAS IN THE VICINITY OF AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, INTENSE LEVEL 5 THUNDERSTORMS. THESE STORMS CONTAINED HEAVY RAIN AND MODERATE TO SEVERE, AND POSSIBLY EXTREME, TURBULENCE. THE THUNDERSTORMS WERE EMBEDDED IN CLOUDS LAYERED TO ABOUT 10,000 FEET. EXISTING WEATHER FORECASTS WERE SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT AND THERE WAS ADEQUATE WARNING OF THE THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY. IMPACT OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 80 DEGREES NOSE DOWN IN A MUDDY FIELD. THE ENGINE WAS RECOVERED FROM A CRATER 20 FEET DEEP. ALL COMPONENTS OF THE AIRPLANE WERE IN OR AROUND THE IMPACT CRATER. THE PILOT HAD DELAYED HIS DEPARTURE FOR TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. HE HAD JURY DUTY IN THE VICINITY OF HIS DESTINATION ON THE DAY FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7968M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7968M-1991-03-01), registration cancelled 1991-03-01, S/N CE99 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B35-C33A
- Registry model: [Beech 35-C33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-c33a) (registry code 1151410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CE-99
- Airframe hours: 4167
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA2 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John R. Detweiler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1990
- Departed: ADS, ADDISON, TX
- Destination: SRQ, SARASOTA, FL
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,432 total, 857 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ESF, 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 19900410011549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900410011549A), Apr 10, 1990: Beech 35C33A, Le Compte, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control in area of serve thunderstorms. Impact near vertical at high speed.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.