# NTSB WPR19FA246: Beech 33, N9529Y, St. Ignatius, MT, August 29, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report - Date: August 29, 2019, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: St. Ignatius, MT · Private ranch - Coordinates: 47.275833, -114.12416 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2758&lon=-114.1242&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office, Continental Aerospace Technologies, Textron Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 100173 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR19FA246 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100173/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100173 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA246 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude, which resulted in impact with power lines and terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 35-B33, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1151406), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 35-B33, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1151406), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 35-B33, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1151406), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Beech 35-B33, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1151406), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 35-B33, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1151406), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and two passengers departed on a multi-leg cross-country flight. Video from a camera affixed to the airplane’s right wing indicated that, as the airplane approached a ranch near the destination airport, the pilot overflew a set of power distribution lines, then descended to a lower altitude to overfly the ranch. The airplane impacted a second set of power lines, severing the left wing, left aileron, and the upper sections of the rudder and vertical stabilizer, then descended to the ground. Multiple witnesses reported hearing the airplane approaching the ranch, then seeing the airplane impact the power distribution lines. One witness stated that the pilot often overflew the ranch to announce his arrival but that he had never seen him fly that low. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude and his failure to maintain clearance from powerlines, which resulted in impact with power lines and, subsequently, terrain. ## Factual narrative On August 29, 2019, about 1600 mountain daylight time, a Beech BE-33 airplane, N9529Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near St. Ignatius, Montana. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot and passengers departed on a multi-leg cross-country flight with a destination of St. Ignatius Airport (52S), St. Ignatius, Montana. As the flight was nearing its destination, multiple witnesses located on a ranch, reported that they observed the airplane approaching, then saw sparks and a wing come off the airplane as it passed through a set of power distribution lines. One witness stated that the pilot’s approach to the area was “as usual,” as he often flew over the ranch to notify those there that he would be landing at the airport; but he had “never seen him that low.” The pilot’s wife stated that he had flown to the destination airport numerous times and that he was going there to help with an electrical problem. A GoPro video camera was attached to the top of the right wing near the wing root. The camera contained multiple short videos of the first and second leg of the flight. One video recorded the airplane as it overflew a set of power distribution lines and continued to descend as it approached the ranch from the west. After arriving over the ranch, the airplane flew past a second set of power distribution lines that appeared to be at the same altitude as the airplane. After passing the power distribution lines, the video camera instantly pointed up, and the airplane appeared to roll left as it descended to the ground. The airplane impacted and severed one of three powerlines strung between towers. Another wire was still intact and had a section of airplane sheet metal attached. At their lowest point, the wires were about 53 ft above ground level. The airplane came to rest inverted in a flat hay field. The entire left wing separated from the fuselage in two sections. The inboard section of the wing was found near the main wreckage. The outboard 4-foot section, along with portions of the vertical stabilizer and rudder and were found about 100 ft from the powerlines. The separated portion of the wing displayed striations consistent with the size and diameter of the power transmission lines found nearby. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9529Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9529Y-2022-01-08), registration cancelled 2022-01-08, S/N CD-555, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 33 (35B33) - Registry model: [Beech 35-B33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-b33) (registry code 1151406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CD-555 - Year built: 1962 - Airframe hours: 887.6 - Engines: Continental IO-470-N(1) reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 2019 - Departed: VTN, Valentine, NE - Destination: 52S, St. Ignatius, NE - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS, Video recording device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 755 total, 700 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KMSO, 25 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 20190829011699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190829011699A), Aug 29, 2019: Beech 35-B33, St. Ignatius, MT, Substantial damage, 3 fatal. On August 29, 2019, about 1558 mountain daylight time, a Beech BE-35 airplane, N9529Y, impacted terrain on a private ranch, near St. Ignatius, Montana. The… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 6, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100173. 18.2 MB in all. - Witness statements (item 1, PDF, 3 pages, 135 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12038878&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witnesses%20WPR19FA246-Rel.pdf - Airrame and engine examination report (item 2, PDF, 13 pages, 11.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12041545&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination%20WPR19FA246-Rel.pdf - Memo for record powerline height (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12137159&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20Record%20Power%20Distribution%20Line%20Height-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 324 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12038311&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Party%20Member%20certificates_redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12763524&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release%20WPR19FA246_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Toxicological report (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 151 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12039230&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Toxicology%20report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memo for record autopsy (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12038017&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20Record%20Autopsy-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 8, PDF, 15 pages, 6.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12760685&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20for%20WPR19FA246-Rel.pdf - Shelf items, videos (item 9, PDF, 2 pages, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12036776&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Video%20Shelf%20Items-Rel.pdf 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.