# NTSB MIA88FA224: Beech 95, N669Q, Destin, FL, July 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1988, 08:17 local (13:17 UTC)
- Place: Destin, FL
- Coordinates: 30.40035, -86.490867 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4003&lon=-86.4909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32030
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32030/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA224

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - weather condition - thunderstorm,level iii (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

PLT REPORTED ARPT IN SIGHT AND WAS CLEARED FOR VISUAL APPROACH. WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING ACFT ON LEFT DOWNWIND & SAID IT FLEW INTO A THUNDERSHOWER. THE FLT WAS NOT HEARD FROM AGAIN. THE ACFT'S WRECKAGE WAS FOUND IN THE BAY 1 1/4 MILES NORTH OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION INDICATED THE ACFT STRUCK THE WATER LEFT WING LOW. NO EVIDENCE WAS NOTED TO INDICATE ACFT, FLT CONTROL, OR ENGINE MALFUNCTION. RADAR PHOTOS INDICATED A LEVEL 3 THUNDERSHOWER AT THE CRASH SITE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N669Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N669Q-1989-09-12), registration cancelled 1989-09-12, S/N TD339 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95
- Registry model: [Beech B95](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b95) (registry code 1153404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TD-339
- Airframe hours: 3435
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vernon P. Hein
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1988, 9 hours before
- Departed: DHN, DOTHAN, AL
- Destination: 81J, DESTIN, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 81J, Destin-Fort Walton Beach, runway 14, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,200 total, 40 in this make and model, 2,925 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VPC, 4 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 19880717026659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880717026659A), Jul 17, 1988: Beech B95, Destin, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into a storm cell on downwind lost control and crashed into water offshore. Possible vertigo in turbulence.

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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