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NTSB Report
August 10, 1989 · Beech E55 · N55TP
Raleigh, NC
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 10, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Raleigh, NC
Aircraft
Beech E55
Tail Number
N55TP
Operator
Kitty Hawk Flyers
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL89FA194
THE FLIGHT HAD DEPARTED RALEIGH DURHAM INTL AIRPORT AT 1119. AT 1122 THE FLIGHT WAS CLEARED TO THE TAR RIVER VOR. THE PILOT 'ROGERED' THE INSTRUCTIONS, AND THIS WAS THE LAST RECORDED CONVERSATION. WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING THE ENGINES REVVING UP BEFORE THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND, AND ONE WITNESS REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE BEFORE THE IMPACT. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT EXPERIENCING WEATHER DIFFICULTIES. THERE WERE NO DEPICTIONS OF THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY WITHIN THE FLIGHT'S FLIGHT PATH VICINITY ON ATC RADAR. NO PRE-IMPACT FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. RADAR DATA SHOWED SOME INSTABILITY IN HEADING, ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED BETWEEN 1120:51 AND 1123:40.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION WHILE OPERATING IN INSTRUMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Full Narrative
THE FLIGHT HAD DEPARTED RALEIGH DURHAM INTL AIRPORT AT 1119. AT 1122 THE FLIGHT WAS CLEARED TO THE TAR RIVER VOR. THE PILOT 'ROGERED' THE INSTRUCTIONS, AND THIS WAS THE LAST RECORDED CONVERSATION. WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING THE ENGINES REVVING UP BEFORE THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND, AND ONE WITNESS REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE BEFORE THE IMPACT. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT EXPERIENCING WEATHER DIFFICULTIES. THERE WERE NO DEPICTIONS OF THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY WITHIN THE FLIGHT'S FLIGHT PATH VICINITY ON ATC RADAR. NO PRE-IMPACT FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. RADAR DATA SHOWED SOME INSTABILITY IN HEADING, ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED BETWEEN 1120:51 AND 1123:40.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:23 EDT
Nearest AirportRaleigh Durham Intl (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech E55
Tail NumberN55TP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorKitty Hawk Flyers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-C · Reciprocating · 285
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 10 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:34
Weather SourceWFAC