# NTSB FTW93FA072: Beech V35B, N74DC, Dixie Inn, LA, January 19, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1993, 18:29 local (Jan 19, 1993, 00:29 UTC)
- Place: Dixie Inn, LA
- Coordinates: 32.59954, -93.860778 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5995&lon=-93.8608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18585
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93FA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18585/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93FA072

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent - normal
  - light condition - dark night
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE MODE C READOUT HAD BEEN INTERMITTENT DURING THE FLIGHT; HOWEVER, THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS OR AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.  UPON ARRIVAL IN THE DESTINATION AREA, THE PILOT WAS ISSUED RADAR VECTORS AND INSTRUCTED TO INITIATE A DESCENT FROM 6,000 TO 3,000 FEET. THE INITIAL STAGE OF THE DESCENT APPEARED NORMAL ON RADAR. HOWEVER, UPON REACHING 5,100 FEET, THE TARGET WENT INTO THE COAST MODE AND RADAR AND RADIO CONTACT WAS LOST.  THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND 2 DAYS LATER, SPREAD OUT OVER 200 FEET THROUGH DENSE WOODS ABOUT 2.5 MILES ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT FROM THE POINT OF LAST RADAR CONTACT.  INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF AIRFRAME, ENGINE OR SYSTEMS FAILURE AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT ICING CONDITIONS EXISTED DURING THE DESCENT PHASE OF THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74DC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74DC-1993-11-30), registration cancelled 1993-11-30, S/N D9610 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35B
- Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-9610
- Airframe hours: 1721
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA10 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Midwest Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Midwest Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 8, 1992, 12 hours before
- Departed: PAH, PADUCAH, KY
- Destination: SHV, SHREVEPORT, LA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,673 total, 234 in this make and model, 3,594 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SHV, 28 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 19930118000619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930118000619A), Jan 18, 1993: Beech V35B, Shreveport, LA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Radar signal lost during vectors for ILS approach. Wreckage indicates uncontrolled high speed impact into trees.

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.