# NTSB FTW90FA176: Beech 36, N169DD, Baird, TX, September 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1990, 15:14 local (20:14 UTC)
- Place: Baird, TX
- Coordinates: 32.38906, -99.389785 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3891&lon=-99.3898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23039
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23039/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA176

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND FAILED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE FLYING IN SEVERE WEATHER AND INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent - normal
  - weather condition - lightning (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - physiological condition, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT 1444 THE PILOT REQUESTED A DEVIATION FOR WEATHER. AT 1510 THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED A REQUESTED CLEARANCE TO DESCEND FROM 10,000 TO 6,000 FEET. THERE WERE NO ADDITIONAL TRANSMISSIONS RECEIVED. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED ON A SOUTHERLY TRACK AT AN AVERAGE AND MAXIMUM RATE OF DESCENT OF 5,137 AND 8,250 FPM RESPECTIVELY. GROUND SPEED AVERAGED 160 MPH. IMPACT OCCURRED IN A WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE ABOUT 20 DEG NOSE LOW. THERE WERE THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA WITH LIGHTNING, HEAVY RAIN, HIGH WINDS, AND CLOUD TOPS TO 45,000 FEET. NUMEROUS BOTTLES OF INSULIN, SYRINGES WITH NEEDLES, AND A DIABETIC TEST KIT WERE FOUND IN THE PILOT'S BAGGAGE. THE COPILOT'S TOXICOLOGY EXAM REVEALED SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF PHENOBARBITAL, A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. THE COPILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. AUTOPSIES OF BOTH PILOTS IDENTIFIED A LACK OF HAND OR FEET INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N169DD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N169DD-1991-04-23), registration cancelled 1991-04-23, S/N E2536 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-2536
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lynn L. Dunham
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SAT, SAN ANTONIO, TX
- Destination: FRD, FREDERICK, OK
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 603 total, 114 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 40 knots, gusting 50
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900908038399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900908038399A), Sep 8, 1990: Beech B36TC, Baird, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control in area of thunderstorm demolished on level ground impact. Pilots were on prohibiting medications.

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.