# NTSB MIA87FA047: Beech C-55, N7975M, Ivel, KY, December 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 10, 1986, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Ivel, KY
- Coordinates: 37.5904, -82.659744 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5904&lon=-82.6597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31741
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31741/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA047

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - insufficient standards/requirements,aircraft, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WHO WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO MAKE THE CHARTER FLT TO PICK UP THE PAX WAS RELUCTANT TO DO SO DUE TO LOW CEILINGS IN THE MOUNTAINOUS AREA AT THE DESTINATION. THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY TOOK THE FLT & THE FLT WAS OBSERVED BY WITNESSES NEAR THE DESTINATION TO BE FLYING IN & OUT OF THE CLOUDS BETWEEN & BELOW THE MOUNTAIN TOPS. WITNESSES ESTIMATED THE ALT TO BE BETWEEN 150 & 300 FT AGL. THE DESTINATION ARPT 3 MI FROM THE CRASH SITE WAS COMPLETELY 'FOGGED IN' WITH VISIBILITY UNDER 100 YDS. THE ACFT STRUCK THE TOP OF A CLOUD COVERED MOUNTAIN. THE PLT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY CITED BY FAA FOR VIOLATIONS OF FAR INCLUDING CARELESS & RECKLESS OPERATION OF ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7975M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7975M-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N TE-207, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C-55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-C55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-c55) (registry code 1152708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE 207
- Airframe hours: 5389
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Air West Virginia,Inc.
- Registered owner: Bates Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 4, 1986, 69 hours before
- Departed: HTS, HUNTINGTON, WV
- Destination: 7K0, PIKEVILLE, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 14,500 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JKL, 35 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 19861210082349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861210082349A), Dec 10, 1986: Beech 95C55, Ivel, KY, Destroyed. The aircraft struck trees and terrain while flying under a low cloud deck. Pilot flying VFR in IFR conditions.

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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