# NTSB NYC83FA204: Beech S35, N193H, Wiscasset, ME, August 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1983, 22:50 local (Aug 7, 1983, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Wiscasset, ME
- Location: 44.0108° N, 69.6780° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wiscasset, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0108&lon=-69.6780&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35070
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35070/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA204

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TAKING OFF ON A FOGGY NIGHT WITH A LOW OVERCAST SKY CONDITION. SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFF, THE PLANE WAS OBSERVED TO TURN AT LOW ALT, THEN ENTER A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE ACFT CRASHED & THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT & PASSENGER WERE FATALLY INJURED. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ENG WAS OPERATING UNTIL IMPACT. A PERSON THAT SAW THE OCCUPANTS AT APRX 2100 EDT REPORTED THE PLT APPEARED INCOHERENT. A TAXI DRIVER THAT TOOK THEM TO THE ARPT REPORTED THAT THE PLT WAS ASLEEP IN THE CAB. THE PASSENGER TOLD THE DRIVER THAT THEY PLANNED TO SLEEP IN THE ACFT A FEW HRS BEFORE DEPARTING. HOWEVER, THE ACFT TOOK OFF & CRASHED AT ABOUT 2250 EDT. APRX 11 MI WEST AT THE BRUNSWICK NAS, THE 1055 EDT WX WAS, IN PART: 100 FT OBSCURED, VISIBILITY 1/8 MI WITH FOG, TEMP & DEW POINT 69 DEG, WIND CALM. A TOXICOLOGICAL CHECK REVEALED THE PLT'S URINE/ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.238%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N193H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N193H-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N D-7444, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH S35
- Registry model: [Beech S35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (registry code 1151532) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D7444
- Airframe hours: 3786
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA3 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Salem Flyers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1982, 258 hours before
- Airport: ISS, Wiscasset, runway 7, 3,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 621 total, 76 in this make and model, 584 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: KNHZ, 11 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 19830806039059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830806039059A), Aug 6, 1983: Beech B35, Wiscasset, ME, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Intoxicated pilot departed at night into near zero visibility and ceiling. Lost control on initial climbout.

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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