# NTSB NYC89FA056: Beech A36, N555ST, Harrison, NY, December 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 24, 1988, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Harrison, NY
- Coordinates: 41.050918, -73.740707 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0509&lon=-73.7407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36262
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89FA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36262/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89FA056

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - climb - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS CLRD FOR AN IFR DEPARTURE FROM RWY 16 IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC). HIS DEPARTURE CLNC WAS TO CLIMB ON RWY HEADING TO 800 FT, THEN TURN RIGHT TO A HEADING OF 320 DEG. WHEN THE ACFT TOOK OFF, TOWER PSNL DID NOT HAVE VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE ACFT, & ASKED THE PLT TWICE, IF THE ACFT WAS AIRBORNE. AFTER THE 2ND INQUIRY, THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE WAS AIRBORNE; HE WAS THEN INSTRUCTED TO CHANGE TO DEPARTURE FREQ. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THE FREQ CHANGE. THEN, ABOUT 35 SEC LATER, AN ELT SIGNAL WAS HEARD. A SEARCH WAS INITIATED & THE ACFT WAS FOUND ABOUT 1/2 MI SOUTH OF THE TOWER. WITNESSES, WHO HEARD THE ACFT, RPRTD THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT APPEARED TO ENTER A CIRCLING MANEUVER AT LOW ALT, THEN CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE ACFT. WX AT THE TIME OF THE ACDNT WAS IN PART: INDEFINITE CEILING, 100 FT OBSCURATION, VIS 1/2 MI WITH FOG, WIND FROM 110 DEG AT 10 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N555ST](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N555ST-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N E-1157, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E1157
- Airframe hours: 1362
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ira Schechter, doing business as Iral
- Registered owner: Ira Schechter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 1988
- Destination: MPV, MONTPELIER, VT
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HPN, Westchester County, runway 16, 6,548 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 787 total, 667 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HPN, 114 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 19881224056799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881224056799A), Dec 24, 1988: Beech A36, White Plains, NY, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Departed in near zero IMC on IFR clearance. Turned right. Lost control. Indicates spatial disorientation and spiral

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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