MKC86MA031

NTSB accident investigation · Rockwell 500-S · Des Moines, IA · November 25, 1985

Accident · FatalMajor investigationFinal report
Date
November 25, 1985, 17:42 local (23:42 UTC)
Place
Des Moines, IA
Injuries
7 fatal
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N81589Rockwell 500-S
Weather
Instrument (IMC) · Night/dark
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19851125058059A
Case key
34257

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - in flightApproach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Light condition - dark nightFactor
Weather condition - low ceilingFactor
Weather condition - fogFactor
Weather condition - rainFactor
Weather condition - icing conditionsFactor
Wing - iceCause
Altitude deviation,uncontrolledApproach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Airspeed - reducedPilot in commandFactor
Airspeed - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Aircraft handling - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Descent - uncontrolled
Directional control - not maintained
Remedial action - initiated
Level off - performed
Loss of engine powerApproach
Reason for occurrence undeterminedFactor
In flight collision with objectApproach
Terrain condition - risingFactor
Proper climb rate - not possible
Stall/mush
Object - tree(s)Factor
Object - wire,transmissionFactor
Object - utility poleFactor
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Analysis

N81589 was flwg a Boeing 727 on ILS apch in IFR conds. Aprx 2.5 mi fm rwy, N81589 suddenly deviated left nrly 90 deg. 39 sec later, plt rprtd he enctrd svr turbc, then said he was trying to clb. N81589 subsequently flew thru tree tops on rising trrn for aprx 2 city blks, then hit pwr lns & a pole & crashed against a tree. No evidence of turbc due to wx at/nr apch alt. Inv showed 4.7 mi sepn btn acft when the 727 passed the point of dvn (pod). At pod, the 727 was on the ILS glide slope at 850'; N81589'S alt was not determined. Wnd was fm 120 deg at 3 to 6 KTS, shifting more southerly withalt. Prevailing vis was 1/2 mi; RVR for rwy 12L was 6000'; lgt rime icg was rprtd. Witnesses heard pwr interuption of 1 eng at pod; but there was no indcn of pwr loss where acft hit trees. Radar data showed acft slowed to 80 KTS at pod, accelerated to 100 KTS drg dvn, slowed to 70 KTS bfr impact; vmca was 74 KTS. Safety board believes the plt most likely lost control due to slow spd & lgt airframe icg; possibly enctrd wake turbc. No reason fnd for loss of eng pwr.

Aircraft

Registration
N81589
Reported as
Rockwell 500-S
Category
Airplane
Serial number
3297
Airframe hours
3,185
Engine
Lycoming IO-540-E1B5, 290 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Fire
On-Ground
Flight
Public aircraft · Part 91
Operator
Iowa State University
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · October 4, 1985 · 41 hours before
Departed
MKE · Milwaukee, WI
Flight plan
IFR
Airport
DSM · Des Moines Muni, runway 12L, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
59
Certificates
Commercial, Flight instructor
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
7,020 total · 1,553 in this make and model · 6,838 as pilot in command · 72 in the last 90 days · 2 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Instrument (IMC) · Night/dark
Wind
120° at 5 knots
Lowest ceiling
100 ft overcast
Temperature
30 °F, dew point 28 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
DSM, 2 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.