# NTSB SEA92LA126: Beech K35, N212M, Sula, MT, June 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1992, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Sula, MT
- Coordinates: 45.870723, -113.749504 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8707&lon=-113.7495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42833
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42833/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA126

## Probable cause

POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION, A WHITE OUT WEATHER CONDITION AND INADEQUATE CLEARANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE CRUISING VFR THROUGH A MOUNTAIN PASS AT APPROXIMATELY 1,000 TO 1,200 FEET AGL, THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED A WHITE OUT CONDITION AND ENTERED IMC. THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY INITIATED A CLIMBING LEFT TURN TO REVERSE COURSE; HOWEVER, DURING THE TURN, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES ON THE VALLEY WALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N212M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N212M-1992-07-15), registration cancelled 1992-07-15, S/N D5874 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH K35
- Registry model: [Beech K35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-k35) (registry code 1151524) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-5874
- Airframe hours: 3900
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mcchristy, John C.
- Registered owner: Mcchristy, John C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1992, 30 hours before
- Departed: FCA, KALISPELL, MT
- Destination: 20V, KREMMLING, CO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F

## 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 19920614020229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920614020229A), Jun 14, 1992: Beech K35, Sula, MT, Substantial damage. Flew into whiteout conditions in mountain pass. Tried to turn around and 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.

---
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.