# NTSB SEA91LA022: Beech 65-88, N6CH, Spokane, WA, November 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1990, 18:22 local (Nov 22, 1990, 02:22 UTC)
- Place: Spokane, WA
- Location: 47.6190° N, 117.5352° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SPOKANE INTL (GEG), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6190&lon=-117.5352&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41366
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41366/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA022

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF HIS TOUCHDOWN DUE TO DISORIENTATION CAUSED BY HIS LACK OF FORWARD VISIBILITY CREATED BY AN ACCUMULATION OF ICE ON THE WINDSHIELD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - ice (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE BEECH 65-88 RETURNED TO HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT DUE TO REPORTS OF SEVERE TURBULENCE ALONG HIS PROJECTED ROUTE. HE STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD APPROXIMATELY 1/2 TO 3/4' OF ICE ON IT, ACCUMULATED DURING CLIMBOUT FROM THE AIRPORT. HE STATED THAT HE BECAME DISORIENTED WHILE TRYING TO LAND WHILE LOOKING OUT OF THE SIDE WINDOW. BOTH ENGINES WERE DISPLACED DOWNWARDS BY THE ENSUING HARD LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6CH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6CH-1993-05-05), registration cancelled 1993-05-05, S/N LP43 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 65-88
- Registry model: [Beech 65-88](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-65-88) (registry code 1152809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: LP 43
- Engines: LYCOMING IGSO-540-A1D 380 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Darrell C Nelson, doing business as Darrell C Nelson
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: GEG
- Destination: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GEG, Spokane Int'L, runway 21, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,839 total, 68 in this make and model, 2,467 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F
- Observed at: GEG

## 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 19901121051149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901121051149A), Nov 21, 1990: Beech 65A808800, Spokane, WA, Substantial damage. Accumulated heavy ice on departure. Returned. Stall mushed onto runway due to airframe and windshield heavy icing.

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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