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NTSB Report
February 19, 1988 · Beech S35 · N5701K
Lake Charles, LA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 19, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Lake Charles, LA
Aircraft
Beech S35
Tail Number
N5701K
Operator
Richard L Schmidt
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW88FA063
ACFT CRASHED INTO A LAKE SHORTLY AFTER BEING VECTORED ONTO THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE FOR AN ILS AT 1,500'. TWO CURRENT IFR PLTS WERE ON BOARD. WX AT THE TIME WAS 500' OVC WITH 10 MILES VIS AND NO CONVECTIVE ACTIVITY OR TURBULENCE REPORTED IN THE AREA. NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION AND ALL OF THE NAV FACILITIES WERE GRND AND FLT CHECKED AND FOUND TO OPERATING NORMALLY. THERE WERE NO ABNORMAL TRIM SETTINGS AND THE A/P WAS IN THE STANDBY MODE AT IMPACT. THE APPROACH COURSE WAS IN A PUBLISHED AND ACTIVE MIGRATORY BIRD FLYWAY. LOCAL ORNITHOLOGISTS STATED THAT LARGE FLOCKS OF BIRDS WERE KNOWN TO BE AIRBORNE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
ACFT CRASHED INTO A LAKE SHORTLY AFTER BEING VECTORED ONTO THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE FOR AN ILS AT 1,500'. TWO CURRENT IFR PLTS WERE ON BOARD. WX AT THE TIME WAS 500' OVC WITH 10 MILES VIS AND NO CONVECTIVE ACTIVITY OR TURBULENCE REPORTED IN THE AREA. NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION AND ALL OF THE NAV FACILITIES WERE GRND AND FLT CHECKED AND FOUND TO OPERATING NORMALLY. THERE WERE NO ABNORMAL TRIM SETTINGS AND THE A/P WAS IN THE STANDBY MODE AT IMPACT. THE APPROACH COURSE WAS IN A PUBLISHED AND ACTIVE MIGRATORY BIRD FLYWAY. LOCAL ORNITHOLOGISTS STATED THAT LARGE FLOCKS OF BIRDS WERE KNOWN TO BE AIRBORNE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:35 CST
Nearest AirportLake Charles Munic. (0nm N)
Runway15
Runway Length6500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech S35
Tail NumberN5701K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRichard L Schmidt
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-BA(3) · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind340° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:35
Weather SourceWFAC