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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 12, 1995 · Beech 33 · N943T

Franklin Twp, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 12, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Franklin Twp, PA
Aircraft
Beech 33
Tail Number
N943T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC95LA132

THE PILOT/OWNER RECEIVED TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS FOR A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT TO HIS BASE AIRPORT. BOTH BRIEFINGS INDICATED A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS IN THE DESTINATION AREA. THE PILOT FILED AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN, BUT DEPARTED VFR IN VMC CONDITIONS. HE PROCEEDED DIRECT TO HIS DESTINATION, AT 8,500 FEET, VIA LORAN NAVIGATION. THE VISIBILITY DECREASED DURING THE FLIGHT, AND THE PILOT CLIMBED TO 10,500 FEET. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PILOT RECEIVED WEATHER UPDATES FROM FLIGHT WATCH AND NAVIGATED AROUND BUILD-UPS NORTH AND SOUTH OF HIS COURSE. ALSO, WHILE EN ROUTE, HE FLEW OVER AN AREA WITH NUMEROUS AIRPORTS. ABOUT 30 MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION, THE PILOT OBSERVED DARK CLOUDS IN ALL QUADRANTS AND ATTEMPTED A 180 DEGREE TURN. THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A CLOUD BUILD-UP AND ENCOUNTERED STRONG POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE LOAD FORCES AND HEAVY PRECIPITATION. AFTER EXITING THE CLOUDS, THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY, WHEELS-UP LANDING.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper planning/decision, his continued flight into adverse weather conditions, and his delay in reversing course (diverting to a new destination). The adverse weather with thunderstorms was a related factor.

Full Narrative

On June 11, 1995, at 2000 eastern daylight time, a Beech Be- 33, N943T, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing near Franklin Township, Pennsylvania. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed, for the personal flight that departed New Haven, Connecticut, about 1800. An instrument flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, and during a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he received a weather briefing from the Bridgeport Automated Flight Service Station, at 1600, and an update from the Bangor Flight Service Station (FSS), at 1700. He was informed of a line of thunderstorms moving through his destination, Hagerstown, Pennsylvania, during both briefings. The pilot stated that he departed the Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN), at 1800, and due to VMC at the departure airport, he did not activate his IFR flight plan. He climbed to 8,500 feet, and proceeded direct to Hagerstown using Loran navigation. While enroute, he contacted Boston Flight Watch and received a weather update. When the visibility decreased near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the pilot climbed to 10,500 feet, to stay above the haze level. He also navigated around cloud build ups north and south of his course. The pilot stated that about 30 miles north of his destination, he saw dark clouds in all quadrants, and decided to executed a 180 degree turn. During the turn, the airplane entered a cloud build up, experienced strong positive and negative load forces, and heavy precipitation. The pilot stated he was unable to hold heading or altitude. He lowered the landing gear and reduced airspeed for better controllability. When the airplane exited the clouds, the pilot was able to see the ground below, but was unsure of his exact location. He stated that he did not want to reenter the clouds, and entered an "emergency spiral descent." He then elected to make a precautionary landing on a dirt road. The pilot stated that he retracted the landing gear prior to touch down to avoid cartwheeling. During the landing roll, the airplane veered off the left side of the road. A review of aeronautical navigation charts revealed there were over 25 operating airports, within a 20 nautical mile radius of Harrisburg.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 33
Tail NumberN943T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-K · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 12 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5500 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data