# NTSB MIA71AM013: Beech D17S, N787MD, Sterrett, AL, August 8, 1970

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 8, 1970
- Place: Sterrett, AL · STERRETT, AL
- Location: 33.4422° N, 86.4610° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sterrett, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4422&lon=-86.4610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 8, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 113110
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA71AM013
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71AM013

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1556   70/8/8    STERRETT,ALA        BEECH D17S          CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 44, 6400
        TIME - UNK/NR                  N787MD              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 500 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ATLANTA,GA                  VICKSBURG,MISS
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
        WEATHER BRIEFING - OTHER
        WEATHER FORECAST - WEATHER CONSIDERABLY WORSE THAN FORECAST
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               0
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          ZERO                                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          NONE                                                     VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- FLEW INTO TREES ON MNTN TOP OBSCURED BY CLDS. RECOVERY DATE 8/15/70. RECD 24 HR TERM FCST PREV DAY
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N787MD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N787MD-1972-04-29), registration cancelled 1972-04-29, S/N 6751 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D17S
- Registry model: [Beech D17S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d17s) (registry code 1150538) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

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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