# NTSB FTW91FA049: Beech 36, N23535, New Braunfels, TX, March 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1991, 18:15 local (Mar 16, 1991, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: New Braunfels, TX
- Coordinates: 29.700836, -98.109611 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7008&lon=-98.1096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23252
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91FA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23252/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA049

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DISREGARD FOR THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE AND FAILURE TO PERFORM A MISSED APPROACH.  FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO FLY INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, LOW CEILING, RAIN, AND FOG.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - minimum descent altitude - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

FOLLOWING AN IFR FLIGHT FROM EL PASO, TEXAS, TO NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH TO THE NEW BRAUNFELS AIRPORT. WEATHER AT THE TIME OF THE APPROACH WAS BELOW PUBLISHED MINIMUMS OF 600 FEET AND 1 1/4 MILES VISIBILITY AND THE PILOT WAS AWARE OF THIS FACT PRIOR TO INITIATING THE APPROACH.  THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED THROUGH THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE AND IMPACTED RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND WITH ITS LEFT WING DURING A STEEP LEFT TURN AND CARTWHEELED TO ITS FINAL RESTING PLACE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23535](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23535-2017-06-21), registration cancelled 2017-06-21, S/N E-1177, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-1177
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jack W. Wolf
- Registered owner: Jack W. Wolf
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 3R5, New Braunfels, runway 35, 5,370 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; toxicology performed; flight hours: 688 total, 134 in this make and model, 604 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Observed at: RNB, 30 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 19910315005499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910315005499A), Mar 15, 1991: Beech A36, New Braunfels, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Below minimums for approach. Descended belwo mda. Broke out right of runway. Wing hit trying realign. Cartwheeled.

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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