# NTSB MIA88FA267: Beech K35, N9525R, Morriston, FL, September 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1988, 16:03 local (20:03 UTC)
- Place: Morriston, FL
- Coordinates: 29.269418, -82.489349 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2694&lon=-82.4893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32041
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA267
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32041/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA267

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ABOUT 47 MILES FROM HOME AND NEARING COMPLETION OF A X-C FLT WITH HIS WIFE, FATHER, AND MOTHER. THE PLT HAD REQSTED VFR FLIGHT FOLLOWING & HAD BEEN CRUISING AT 6500 FT. THE PLT ADVISED ATC THEY WERE DOWN TO 6250 FT & NEEDED TO DESCEND FURTHER TO REMAIN VFR. ATC ADVISED THE FLT THERE WAS OPPOSITE IFR TRAFFIC WHO HAD ADVISED HE WAS 'IN SOLID' & REQSTED THE VFR FLT TO DELAY DESCENT IF POSSIBLE UNTIL TRAFFIC WAS CLEAR. THE PLT AGREED BUT SAID 'WELL OK, I'M GOING TO BE IN THE CLDS.' ABOUT 45 SECS LATER, THE PLT ADVISED, 'OH YEAH, WE'RE WE'RE IN A SPIN, I'M NOT SURE WHICH WAY WE'RE GOIN' HERE, I'VE LOST IT, I'M SORRY. ' A GRND WITNESS HEARD THE ENGINE REV UP IN THE CLDS, LOOKED UP & SAW THE FUSELAGE MINUS WINGS & TAIL SPINNING FROM OVRCST. THE WITNESS SAID VFR CONDTNS PREVAILED AT GRND LEVEL. THE PLT HAD OWNED ACFT ABOUT 2 YRS BUT NEVER REGSTED IT & THERE WAS NO ANNUAL INSP PERFORMED. NO PLT OR ACFT LOGBOOKS WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9525R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9525R-2012-11-20), registration cancelled 2012-11-20, S/N D-6075, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH K35
- Registry model: [Beech K35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-k35) (registry code 1151524) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-6075
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-N 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark D. Merrill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AVL, ASHEVILLE, NC
- Destination: BKV, BROOKSVILLE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 40 total, 10 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 26 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 19880907037499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880907037499A), Sep 7, 1988: Beech K35, Morriston, FL, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Lost control and broke up in spiral dive after entering clouds. Not rated IFR or for passengers. Plane out of annual

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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