# NTSB NYC92FA050: Beech A36, N236JS, Wilmington, OH, December 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 25, 1991, 20:48 local (Dec 26, 1991, 01:48 UTC)
- Place: Wilmington, OH
- Coordinates: 39.439743, -83.829757 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4397&lon=-83.8298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37048
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92FA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37048/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92FA050

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOTS TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE NIGHT CONDITIONS, REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO FOG, AND THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THE PILOTS DIVERTED THEIR ATTENTION TO THE OPERATION OF THE LORAN EQUIPMENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - diverted attention, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON A LOCAL NIGHT FLIGHT TO SEE THE XMAS LIGHTS OF DAYTON FROM THE AIR. A PAX STATED THAT WHEN SHE THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO LAND THE ACFT HIT TREES. THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL ENGINE SOUND, OR ANYTHING DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FLIGHTS. THE ACCIDENT OCCURED ABOUT 1 MI FROM THE AIRPORT. THE LEFT SEAT PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT-RATED. THE RIGHT SEAT PILOT WAS THE ACFT OWNER, AND WAS INSTRUMENT RATED. THE PILOT OPERATING THE CONTROLS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT DETERMINED. THERE ARE NO FAA-APPROVED APPROACHES FOR THE ARPT; HOWEVER, THE OWNER HAD DESIGNED A LORAN-C APPROACH AND TWO R-NAV APPROACHES FOR PERSONAL USE. THE ACTIVE WAYPOINT FOUND IN THE ACFT'S LORAN UNIT COINCIDED WITH THE ARPT. THE OWNER WAS DESCRIBED AS A PERSON WHO ' WAS PROUD OF, AND WOULD BE EAGER TO SHOW OTHER PILOTS FLYING THE AIRPLANE, THE PROCEDURES FOR USE OF THE EQUIPMENT INSTALLED.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N236JS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N236JS-1992-04-25), registration cancelled 1992-04-25, S/N E2496 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-2496
- Airframe hours: 287
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John E. Schweller
- Registered owner: John E. Schweller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 1991, 116 hours before
- Airport: OH77, Lumberton

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 221 total, 26 in this make and model, 136 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAY, 26 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 19911225057169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911225057169A), Dec 25, 1991: Beech A36, Wilmington, OH, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Returning to private lighted airstrip at night in thick patchy ground fog struck trees.

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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