# NTSB FTW92FA023: Beech C23, N6637W, Angleton, TX, November 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1991, 20:55 local (Nov 18, 1991, 02:55 UTC)
- Place: Angleton, TX
- Coordinates: 29.159708, -95.420562 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1597&lon=-95.4206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18340
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92FA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18340/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92FA023

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL. FACTORS WERE HIS LACK OF TOTAL INSTRUMENT TIME, HIS VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS AND SPATIAL DISORIENTATION.

## 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 - clouds (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON RATED PRIVATE PILOT PROCEEDED TO HIS DESTINATION AT APPROXIMATELY 5,500 FEET. THE CLOUD TOPS IN THE VICINITY OF THE DESTINATION WERE REPORTED AT APPROXIMATELY 5,000 FEET. UPON REACHING THE VICINITY OF THE OUTER MARKER FOR THE AIRPORT, A DESCENT WAS UNDERTAKEN. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, RADAR RECORDS INDICATE A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT, INDICATIVE OF A LOSS OF CONTROL. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN AN EXTREME NOSE LOW ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6637W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6637W-1992-03-18), registration cancelled 1992-03-18, S/N M2219 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C23
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-2219
- Airframe hours: 3102
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: John E. Ford II
- Registered owner: John E. Ford II
- Last inspection: Annual, July 27, 1991, 24 hours before
- Departed: T89, CASTROVILLE, TX
- Destination: LBX, ANGLETON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 252 total, 165 in this make and model, 202 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19911117052299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911117052299A), Nov 17, 1991: Beech C23, Angleton, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Near vertical impact. Spiral dive from 5000 ft tops of clouds to impact near destination. Low ceiling and fog.

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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