# NTSB MIA94LA063: Beech 35, N599LG, Leesburg, FL, January 29, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1994, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Leesburg, FL
- Location: 28.8146° N, 81.7949° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from LEESBURG INTL (LEE), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8146&lon=-81.7949&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37487
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37487/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA063

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S POOR EVALUATION OF THE WEATHER AND FAILURE TO REMAIN IN VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, RESULTING IN AN IN-FLIGHT COLLISION WITH WATER.

## 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 - fog
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, ON BASE LEG TO FINAL LEG, THE PILOT LOST VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE RUNWAY WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED LOW LEVEL FOG.  THE AIRPLANE THEN CONTINUED THE DESCENT AND CRASHED INTO A LAKE.

## Factual narrative

On January 29, 1994, about 0930 eastern standard time, N599LG, a Beech BE-35, registered to the pilot Thomas R. Wolf, crashed in a lake while on approach to Leesburg Airport, Leesburg, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot and instructor reported no injuries. The flight originated about 30 minutes earlier from Orlando, Florida.

The pilot/owner stated that the airplane was equipped with a throw-over yoke and both pilots signed an agreement that the owner, who was seated in the left seat would have the yoke, and be pilot-in-command. While in the traffic pattern, on base leg to final leg, the pilot encountered a fog bank, lost visual contact with the runway, and continued the decent where the airplane crashed in a lake.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N599LG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N599LG-2013-05-10), registration cancelled 2013-05-10, S/N D-8920, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35
- Registry model: [Beech V35A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35a) (registry code 1151544) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8920
- Airframe hours: 1414
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA6 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Wolf, Thomas R.
- Registered owner: Thomas And Phyllis Wolf
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Special, Provisional (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 1993, 96 hours before
- Departed: ORL, ORLANDO, FL
- Airport: LEE, Leesburg Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,023 total, 1,440 in this make and model, 2,023 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORL, 34 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 19940129023929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940129023929A), Jan 29, 1994: Beech V35A, Leesburg, FL, Substantial damage. Called a dual flight. Throw over yoke. Encountered fog bank. CFI safety pilot right seat. Flew into a lake.

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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