# NTSB MKC89FA061: Beech 58, N348U, Hamburg, AR, February 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1989, 17:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Hamburg, AR
- Coordinates: 33.219028, -91.789291 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2190&lon=-91.7893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34673
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89FA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34673/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89FA061

## Probable cause

THE PILOT CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE ABOVE THE WOODED TERRAIN. WEATHER CONDITIONS, LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS AT OR NEAR DUSK, LACK OF VISUAL CUES (VISUAL PERCEPTION) BY THE PILOT, AND TREES WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, unknown
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, unknown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HOME ARPT FOR THE ACFT WAS AT MONROE, LA. THE COMPANY PLT (PIC) & ANOTHER PLT (CP) TOOK THE ACFT WITHOUT COMPANY AUTHORIZATION. THEY FLEW TO RUSTON, LA (APRX 30 MI WEST OF MONROE) & PURCHASED FUEL, ALTHOUGH FUEL WAS AVAILABE AT THE HOME ARPT AT A SOMEWHAT HIGHER PRICE. AT RUSTON, THE PIC TOLD AN ACQUAINTANCE THAT HE WOULD BE RTRNG TO MONROE IN A 'ROUND ABOUT FASHION.'  AT 1650 CST, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO DEPART RUSTON IN A NORTHEASTERLY DRCTN. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CRASHED APRX 60 MI NORTHEAST OF RUSTON (37 MI NORTH-NORTHEAST OF MONROE). AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT HIT TREES & CRASHED ON A NORTHWESTERLY HDG. THE WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED IN EXCESS OF 300 FT ON HEAVILY WOODED TERRAIN. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENGS WAS FOUND. WX IN THE AREA WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 500 FT OVERCAST, VIS 2 MI WITH FOG & LIGHT DRIZZLE. THE ACDNT WAS ESTIMATED TO HAVE OCCURRED AT APRX 1755 CST. OFFICIAL SUNSET AT THE ACDNT SITE WAS 1754 CST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N348U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N348U-2013-04-16), registration cancelled 2013-04-16, S/N TH-677, built 1975 (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: TH677
- Airframe hours: 5336
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Exchange, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, February 11, 1989
- Departed: RSN, RUSTON, LA
- Destination: MLU, MONROE, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,752 total, 177 in this make and model, 177 in the last 90 days, 105 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 25 °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 19890217003839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890217003839A), Feb 17, 1989: Beech 58, Hamburg, AR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Indicates loss of control in IMC. Crashed into trees. Flight not aproved by company.

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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