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NTSB Report
August 12, 1989 · Beech A-36 · N25805
Chapel Hill, NC
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 12, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Aircraft
Beech A-36
Tail Number
N25805
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL89FA196
AT 2028, AFTER A MISSED APCH AT DESTINATION, THE PLT REPORTED HE COULDN'T GET THE AUTOPILOT OFF & WAS FIGHTING HARD TO CONTROL THE AIRPLANE. ATC OFFERED SUGGESTIONS TO DISENGAGE AUTOPILOT, INCLUDING TURNING OFF MASTER SWITCH; PLT REPORTED NO CHANGE. DURING THE NEXT 45 MINUTES THE PILOT WAS PROVIDED VECTORS AND ASSISTANCE; PLT FREQUENTLY DID NOT RESPOND TO INSTRUCTIONS. FINAL VECTORS WERE TO CHAPEL HILL AIRPORT; RADAR DATA LOST. WRECKAGE ORIENTED OVER AN AREA OF A NORMAL BASE TO RWY 8. ELEVATOR TRIM WAS FOUND IN A FULL TAB-UP (NOSE-DOWN) POSITION. APRX 45 LBS OF STICK FORCE WOULD BE NECESSARY TO HOLD THE AIRPLANE LEVEL. THE APPROVED FLIGHT MANUAL SUPPLEMENT FOR THE KING KFC 200 AUTOPILOT SYSTEM CONTAINED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR AUTOPILOT/ELECTRIC TRIM MALFUNCTIONS. THESE PROCEDURES REQUIRE THAT THE AIRCRAFT BE RETRIMMED MANUALLY.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE MANEUVERING FOR A LANDING. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR AN AUTOPILOT MALFUNCTION, AND PILOT FATIGUE.
Full Narrative
AT 2028, AFTER A MISSED APCH AT DESTINATION, THE PLT REPORTED HE COULDN'T GET THE AUTOPILOT OFF & WAS FIGHTING HARD TO CONTROL THE AIRPLANE. ATC OFFERED SUGGESTIONS TO DISENGAGE AUTOPILOT, INCLUDING TURNING OFF MASTER SWITCH; PLT REPORTED NO CHANGE. DURING THE NEXT 45 MINUTES THE PILOT WAS PROVIDED VECTORS AND ASSISTANCE; PLT FREQUENTLY DID NOT RESPOND TO INSTRUCTIONS. FINAL VECTORS WERE TO CHAPEL HILL AIRPORT; RADAR DATA LOST. WRECKAGE ORIENTED OVER AN AREA OF A NORMAL BASE TO RWY 8. ELEVATOR TRIM WAS FOUND IN A FULL TAB-UP (NOSE-DOWN) POSITION. APRX 45 LBS OF STICK FORCE WOULD BE NECESSARY TO HOLD THE AIRPLANE LEVEL. THE APPROVED FLIGHT MANUAL SUPPLEMENT FOR THE KING KFC 200 AUTOPILOT SYSTEM CONTAINED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR AUTOPILOT/ELECTRIC TRIM MALFUNCTIONS. THESE PROCEDURES REQUIRE THAT THE AIRCRAFT BE RETRIMMED MANUALLY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:18 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech A-36
Tail NumberN25805
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-BB · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 71 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind20° @ 7 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:50
Weather SourceWFAC