# NTSB MKC89FA027: Beech E-90, N308PS, Locust Grove, AR, November 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1988, 18:33 local (Nov 19, 1988, 00:33 UTC)
- Place: Locust Grove, AR
- Coordinates: 35.70914, -91.749298 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7091&lon=-91.7493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34668
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89FA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34668/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89FA027

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN OBSTACLE CLEARANCE ALTITUDE AND EXCEEDING THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE PUBLISHED IN THE APPROACH PROCEDURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

BFR & DRG FLT, THE PLT RCVD INFO ABOUT TSTMS IN THE VICINITY OF THE DESTN ARPT. DRG ARR, THE PLT WAS GIVEN THE LITTLE ROCK ALTIMETER SETTING. HE WAS CLRD TO DSCND & CROSS THE NDB (INITIAL APCH FIX) AT OR ABV 3100' MSL, THEN WAS CLRD FOR THE APCH. ABOUT 7-1/2 MIN LATER, THE PLT DECLARED A MISSED APCH & REQUESTED ANOTHER. HE ACKNOWLEDGED CLNC FOR THE 2ND APCH, THEN THERE WAS NO FURTHER RADIO CONTACT WITH THE ACFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT TREES & CRASHED ON HIGH (MTN) TERRAIN ABOUT 6-1/2 MI WSW OF THE ARPT. IMPACT OCCURRED WHILE THE ACFT WAS ON AN EASTERLY HEADING AT ABOUT 1195' MSL. MIN ALT FOR THE APCH WAS 2300' UNTIL ESTABLISHED INBOUND FROM THE NDB, THEN WHEN USING A LITTLE ROCK ALTIMETER SETTING, A MIN ALT OF 1860' WAS REQUIRED UNTIL PASSING THE BAIKS FAN MARKER, 4.6 MI FROM THE RWY. A PLT, WHO WAS WAITING TO DEPART THE AIRPORT, ESTIMATED THERE WAS A VARIABLE OVERCAST AT 300' TO 700' & THE VIS WAS 1 TO 2 MI WITH RAIN. THE ARPT ELEV WAS 464'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N308PS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N308PS-2013-02-25), registration cancelled 2013-02-25, S/N LW-92, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E-90
- Registry model: [Beech E-90](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e-90) (registry code 1152914) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [U/A Canada PT6A-27-28](https://openairdocs.org/engine/u-a-canada-pt6a-27-28) (registry code 61504, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: LW-92
- Airframe hours: 6964
- Engines: P&W PT6A-28 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: M & L Aircraft, Inc.
- Registered owner: M & L Aircraft Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 29, 1987, 7 hours before
- Departed: ORG, ORANGE, TX
- Destination: BVX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BVX, Batesville Regional, runway 7, 6,002 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; 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: 2,300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19881118051309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881118051309A), Nov 18, 1988: Beech E90, Batesville, AR, Destroyed, 6 fatal. Struck trees on descending side of mountain on second try for a NDB approach.

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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