# NTSB NYC89FA183: Beech B24R, N2175W, Wiscasset, ME, August 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1989, 11:38 local (15:38 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: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36293
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89FA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36293/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89FA183

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND UNCONTROLLED DESCENT DURING ATTEMPTED FLIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

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

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED WISCASSET AIRPORT, MAINE, IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND THE DESTINATION WAS BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS. THE PILOT CONTACTED THE APPROACH CONTROL, RECEIVED AN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES CLEARANCE, AND BEGAN CLIMBING TO THE ASSIGNED ALTITUDE ON A WESTERLY HEADING. THE NEW BRUNSWICK APPROACH CONTROL RADAR SHOWED THAT THE AIRPLANE REACHED A MAXIMUM ALTITUDE OF 1700 FEET MSL, WHEN IT BEGAN TO DESCEND AND REVERSE ITS DIRECTION OF FLIGHT. THE RADAR LAST SHOWED THE AIRPLANE AT AN ALTITUDE OF 400 FEET MSL AND MOVING IN A SOUTHEASTERLY DIRECTION. THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND 1 MILE SOUTHWEST OF THE WISCASSET AIRPORT. THE RADIO COMMUNICATION WITH THE PILOT DID NOT INDICATE ANY DIFFICULTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2175W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2175W-1990-07-16), registration cancelled 1990-07-16, S/N MC267 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B24R
- Registry model: [Beech B24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b24r) (registry code 1151253) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MC267
- Airframe hours: 1079
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Knight
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1989, 31 hours before
- Departed: WISCASSET, ME
- Destination: MVY, BEVERLY, MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 9B9, Wiscasset, runway 25, 3,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 483 total, 408 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NHZ, 10 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 19890806027249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890806027249A), Aug 6, 1989: Beech B24R, Wiscasset, ME, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Indicates loss of control on IFR 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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