# NTSB FTW92FA045: Beech C23, N6012C, Dewitt, AR, December 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1991, 20:07 local (Dec 14, 1991, 02:07 UTC)
- Place: Dewitt, AR
- Coordinates: 34.280838, -91.329963 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2808&lon=-91.3300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18346
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92FA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18346/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92FA045

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO LAND IN IMC CONDITIONS AND HER SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL DURING CLIMB OUT DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION.  A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S DISREGARD OF THE PRE-FLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb
  - weather condition - fog
  - landed at wrong airport - attempted, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight advisories - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED IN AN OPEN FIELD ABOUT 1/2 MILE SOUTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT IN A LEFT WING LOW, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. A GROUND WITNESS, WHO WAS A PILOT, STATED THAT HE HEARD THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE ACCELERATE AND ENTER A LEFT TURN JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT.  THE WITNESS LIVED ABOUT 200 YARDS FROM WHERE IMPACT OCCURRED.  THE AIRPORT WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WAS ABOUT TEN MILES SOUTH OF THE PILOT'S INTENDED DESTINATION.  THE WEATHER AND LIGHT CONDITIONS AT THE TIME WERE THICK FOG WITH ABOUT 1/8 MILE VISIBILITY AND DARK NIGHT.  DURING THE WEATHER BRIEFING THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED AND THAT SHE SHOULD CALL BACK PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.  THE PILOT DID NOT CALL BACK.  THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF 14 HOURS NIGHT TIME AND 3 HOURS SIMULATED INSTRUMENT TIME.  IT WAS NOT DETERMINED IF THE PILOT HAD LANDED AT THE ACCIDENT AIRPORT OR IF SHE HAD JUST MADE A LOW PASS.  TOTAL ETE FOR THE FLIGHT WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT 47 MINUTES.  TOTAL ELAPSED TIME FROM TAKEOFF TO THE ACCIDENT WAS 1 HOUR AND 42 MINUTES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6012C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6012C-1992-03-12), registration cancelled 1992-03-12, S/N M2098 (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-2098
- Airframe hours: 5364
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Central Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Central Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 11, 1991, 2 hours before
- Departed: M89, ARKADEPLPHIA, AR
- Destination: M73, ALMYRA, AR
- Airport: 5M1, Dewitt Muni, runway 17, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 105 total, 4 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm

## 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 19911213056239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911213056239A), Dec 13, 1991: Beech C23, Dewitt, AR, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Impacted in area of dense fog. Sound heard indicates spiral dive. VFR flight not advised. Fog bank was localized.

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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