# NTSB MKC88FA037: Beech 58, N4613S, Dewitt, AR, January 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1988, 18:45 local (Jan 9, 1988, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Dewitt, AR
- Coordinates: 34.279708, -91.329895 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2797&lon=-91.3299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34479
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88FA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34479/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA037

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - airport snow removal - improper, airport personnel (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF N4613S WAS MAKING A VFR APPROACH INTO THE DE WITT, ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT. SNOW HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE RUNWAY AND PILED UP ON THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 35. THE NOSE GEAR OF THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED THE PILED UP SNOW/ICE AT TOUCHDOWN, DAMAGING THE NOSE GEAR. WHEN THE NOSE GEAR TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RWY THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY INTO AN AREA OF SNOW IN WHICH THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4613S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4613S-2026-05-23), registration cancelled 2026-05-23, S/N TH-682 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 58
- Registry model: [Beech 58](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58) (registry code 1152740) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TH682
- Airframe hours: 4451
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Central Flying Service Inc.
- Registered owner: Central Flying Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1987, 93 hours before
- Departed: LIT, LITTLE ROCK, AR
- Airport: 5MI, Dewitt Municipal, runway 35, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,654 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 8,430 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBF, 31 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 19880108000379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880108000379A), Jan 8, 1988: Beech 58, Dewitt, AR, Substantial damage. Struck a high snow ridge on approach end of runway. Veered off runway into a snowbank. Snow blocked approach path.

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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