# NTSB NYC83FA253: Beech 58, N6657R, Arkville, NY, September 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1983, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Arkville, NY
- Coordinates: 42.139514, -74.619888 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1395&lon=-74.6199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35083
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA253
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35083/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA253

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PRIOR TO TAKING OFF, THE PLT ADVISED COMPANY PERSONNEL THAT HE PLANNED TO FLY VFR-ON-TOP AT 8500 FT MSL. HE PLANNED TO DEPART AT 1400 EDT, BUT DID NOT SPECIFY HIS ROUTE OF FLT. WHEN THE ACFT DID NOT ARRIVE, A SEARCH WAS INITIATED, IT WAS FOUND WHERE IT HAD CRASHED NEAR THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 3760 FT. AN EXAM OF THE CRASH SIDE REVEALED THE ACFT HAD IMPACTED IN LEVEL FLT. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF FAILURE WAS FOUND. A FOREST RANGER IN THE VICINITY AT APRX THE SAME ALTITUDE SAID THE VISIBILITY WAS ABOUT 100 FT IN FOG & RAIN WAS FALLING. OTHER PERSONS IN THE AREA SAID THE MOUNTAINS WERE OBSCURED, THE SKY WAS OVERCAST, HEAVY RAIN WAS FALLING & THE WIND WAS STRONG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6657R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6657R-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N TH-1063, built 1979 (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: TH1063
- Airframe hours: 2636
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-CB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Catskill Airways, Inc.
- Registered owner: Dawn Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 19, 1983, 5 hours before
- Departed: ACY, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
- Destination: N66, ONEONTA, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 11,900 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSV, 23 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 19830921051049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830921051049A), Sep 21, 1983: Beech 58, Arkville, NY, Destroyed. Flew into trees on a cloud obscured mountain. Heavy rain and turbulence in area.

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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