# NTSB GAA17CA150: Beech F90, N246CA, Poplar Bluff, MO, February 6, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 6, 2017, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Poplar Bluff, MO - Coordinates: 36.773887, -90.324722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7739&lon=-90.3247&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-IFR final approach: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 7, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94752 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94752/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94752 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA150 ## Probable cause The pilot’s descent below the minimum descent altitude during a nonprecision approach, which resulted in a tree strike. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech F90, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1152909), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech F90, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1152909), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech F90, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1152909), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-IFR final approach: Altitude deviation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282); cases with it: [Beech F90, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282/sequence.md?model=1152909), [All aircraft, 104 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282/sequence.md) - [Approach-IFR final approach: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech F90, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=1152909), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during an instrument meteorological conditions flight, he chose to accomplish an area navigation approach. He reported that he descended to his minimum descent altitude of 800 ft, decreased the airspeed, and began looking outside the cockpit for the runway. He recalled that the visibility was 3/4 mile, and that, about 20 seconds later, the airplane struck tree tops. The pilot immediately executed the missed approach procedure and made an approach to an alternate airport. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported the during an instrument meteorological condition flight, he elected to accomplish an area navigation approach. He reported that he descended to his minimum descent altitude of 800 feet, decreased the airspeed and began looking outside the cockpit for the runway. He recalled that the visibility was ¾ of a mile and about 20 seconds later the airplane struck tree tops. The pilot immediately executed the missed approach procedure and made an approach at an alternate airport. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N246CA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N246CA-2019-03-02), registration cancelled 2019-03-02, S/N LA-27, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH F90 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Beech F90](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f90) (registry code 1152909) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: LA-27 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 8639.8 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A/60A 750 horsepower turbo prop; Pratt & Whitney PT6A/60A 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 21, 2016 - Departed: DTN, SHREVEPORT, LA - Destination: POF, Poplar Bluff, MO - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: POF, Poplar Bluff Muni, runway 18, 5,008 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 8, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 26,500 total, 3,424 in this make and model, 128 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: calm - Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: KPOF ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20170206016179I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170206016179I), Feb 6, 2017: Beech F90, Poplar Bluff, MO, Substantial damage. At 2337Z kmem was advised that an aircraft was inbound to kmem and was NORDO. N246CA, a BE90 was on approach to Poplar Bluff with zme and hit trees while on… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 17, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94752. 4.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455429&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 447 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455433&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF 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.