# NTSB MKC87LA040: Beech A-36, N7688N, Corning, IA, January 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1987, 21:45 local (Jan 17, 1987, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Corning, IA
- Coordinates: 40.989624, -94.730384 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9896&lon=-94.7304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34334
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34334/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA040

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - flight/nav instruments,altimeter - binding(mechanical) (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,adjustment - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLT HAD PROGRESSED NORMALLY FROM CHAMPAGNE, IL. THE IFR FLT PLAN WAS CANCELLED AT LAMONI VOR AND THE FLT PROCEEDED VFR. ON FINAL APPROACH TO RWY 17, APRX 1 MILE FROM THE RWY, THE ALTIMETER SUDDENLY UNWOUND AND THE ACFT STRUCK TREES. THE ALTIMETER HAD FUNCTIONED NORMALLY UP TO THAT POINT. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ALTIMETER SHOWED BINDING OF THE 100 FOOT NEEDLE AT THE TANG. ONLY SLOW MOVEMENT OF THE NEEDLE PRODUCED A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM IN BINDING. THE TESTING OF THE ALTIMETER PRODUCED A SIMILAR MALFUNCTION TO THAT EXPERIENCED BY THE PLT DURING THE APPROACH. THE LIGHTS OF THE ARPT WERE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY DURING THE APPROACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7688N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7688N-1989-11-18), registration cancelled 1989-11-18, S/N E96 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A-36
- Registry model: [Beech 36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-36) (registry code 1151602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-96
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Roscoe Brown Sales Co.
- Registered owner: Brown Bear Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1986
- Departed: CMI, CHAMPAIGN, IL
- Destination: CORNING, IA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CRZ, Corning

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,586 total, 1,326 in this make and model, 1,484 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 7 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OMA, 56 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 19870116040609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870116040609A), Jan 16, 1987: Beech 36BEECH, Corning, IA, Substantial damage. The aircraft hit trees while circling to land at night. The altimeter was sticking, giving false altitude readout.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.