# NTSB FTW92FA202: Beech C35, N617D, Leslie, AR, August 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1992, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Leslie, AR
- Coordinates: 35.819362, -92.549308 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8194&lon=-92.5493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18369
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92FA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18369/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92FA202

## Probable cause

PILOT ATTEMPTED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC. FACTORS WERE FOG, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT HAD RECEIVED AN FAA OUTLOOK BRIEFING FOR THE DESTINATION AREA PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE. HE WAS BRIEFED ABOUT THE STATIONARY FRONT AND FORECASTED RAIN SHOWERS THROUGHOUT THE AREA FOR THE ENTIRE DAY. HE WAS ADVISED TO REQUEST AN UPDATE FORECAST BRIEFING LATER IN THE DAY. INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY ADDITIONAL BRIEFINGS. SURFACE WEATHER REPORTS THROUGHOUT THE AREA INDICATED OVERCAST CEILINGS AND REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO FOG AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. A WITNESS REPORTED OBSERVING THE AIRPLANE FLYING IN AND OUT OF THE FOG NEAR THE MOUNTAINS AND THEN FLYING INTO THE FOG BANK BELOW THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN. THE WITNESS REPORTED THE ACCIDENT AND ASSISTED IN LOCATING THE SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N617D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N617D-1992-10-23), registration cancelled 1992-10-23, S/N D2875 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C35
- Registry model: [Beech C35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c35) (registry code 1151508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-2875
- Airframe hours: 3591
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-11 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ordway, Dustin P.
- Registered owner: Ordway, Dustin P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1992, 37 hours before
- Departed: TVC, TRAVERSE CITY, MI
- Destination: M03, CONWAY, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 930 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day

## 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 19920805029069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920805029069A), Aug 5, 1992: Beech C35BEECH, Leslie, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into trees on cloud obscured mountainside. MVFR forecast for area.

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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