# NTSB MIA91FA107: Beech 95-B55, N95BE, Chassahowitzka, FL, March 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1991, 14:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Chassahowitzka, FL
- Location: 28.7130° N, 82.5743° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chassahowitzka, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7130&lon=-82.5743&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32748
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91FA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32748/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91FA107

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMANDS CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO IFR CONDITIONS RESULTING IN AN INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather condition - fog
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
  - terrain condition - wet
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT RECEIVED WX BRIEFING FOR VFR FLT. DEPT POINT AND DEST WERE VFR AND EN ROUTE CONDITIONS WERE MARGINAL VFR. FLT DEPT AND NO FURTHER RADIO CONTACT WITH FLT WAS MADE. 1 HOUR 25 MIN LATER WITNESSES SAW ACFT FLYING IN AND OUT OF 200 FOOT OVERCAST. A SHORT TIME LATER OTHER WITNESSES HEARD ACFT FLYING ACROSS MARSH WITH ENGINES OPERATING NORMALLY. ENGINE NOISE CEASED ABRUPTLY AND THEY TURNED TO SEE CLOUD OF MUD AND WATER. ACFT HAD IMPACTED AT HIGH SPEED IN APPROX 60 DEGREE RIGHT BANK AND 20 TO 30 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. PIECES OF ALL ACFT COMPONENTS NECESSARY FOR FLT WERE LOCATED AT THE CRASH SITE. SOME OF THE ACFT STRUCTURE AND THE TWO ENGINES AND PROPELLERS WERE NOT RECOVERED FROM THE MUDDY CRASH SITE. THE PLT LAST LOGGED SIMULATED INSTRUMENT TIME 15 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95BE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95BE-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N TC-1868, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95-B55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-1868
- Airframe hours: 3501
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Odem, John W.
- Registered owner: Odem, John W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 1991, 22 hours before
- Departed: FXE, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: TLH, TALLAHASSEE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 407 total, 88 in this make and model, 306 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast

## 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 19910324007499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910324007499A), Mar 24, 1991: Beech 95B55, Chassahowitzka, FL, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Observed flying erratic and low in low clouds and fog. Impacted swamp high speed. All victims had ingested alcohol.

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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