# NTSB SEA88LA043: Beech 58P, N3689D, Ketchikan, AK, February 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1988, 13:29 local (17:29 UTC)
- Place: Ketchikan, AK
- Coordinates: 55.610095, -131.580932 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.6101&lon=-131.5809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40776
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40776/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA043

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES 1400 FT SHORT OF RWY DURING ILS APPROACH. THE ACFT WAS LEFT OF CENTERLINE AND ABOUT 100 FT BELOW GLIDESLOPE AT THAT TIME. WITNESSES HEARD SOUNDS OF INCREASED POWER AND IMPACT. WHEN THE APPROACH CLEARANCE WAS GIVEN THE WX WAS 1000 FT CEILING, 2 MILES VISIBILITY IN FOG AND LIGHT SNOW. DURING THE APPROACH A SPECIAL WX OBSERVATION WAS RADIOED TO THE PLT CHANGING THE CEILING TO 800 FT BROKEN WITH WINDS CALM. THE PLT HAD FILED A FLT PLAN WITH TIME ENROUTE OF 3.5 HRS WITH 5 HRS OF FUEL ABOARD THE ACFT. THE ACTUAL TIME ENROUTE WAS OVER 4 HRS. THE ALTERNATE WAS 80 MILES FROM DESTINATION IN THE SAME GENERAL WX PATTERN. POST ACC INVEST SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PRE-IMPACT FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS IN ACFT AIRFRAME, POWERPLANTS OR SYSTEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3689D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3689D-1990-06-18), registration cancelled 1990-06-18, S/N TJ301 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 58P
- Registry model: [Beech 58P](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58p) (registry code 1152744) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TJ301
- Airframe hours: 1562
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Davis Const & Engineering
- Registered owner: Davis Constructors & Eng, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1987, 121 hours before
- Departed: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: KTN, Ketchikan, runway 11, 7,497 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 843 total, 303 in this make and model, 726 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KTN, 1 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 19880201026309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880201026309A), Feb 1, 1988: Beech 58P, Ketchikan, AK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Collided with trees then water on ILS approach. Pilot went below glide slope altitude. No malfunction found.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
