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NTSB Report
August 27, 1989 · Beech C50 · N4917B
Hagerstown, MD
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 27, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Hagerstown, MD
Aircraft
Beech C50
Tail Number
N4917B
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO89FA074
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT AND NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT PASSENGER WERE FLYING TO ANDREWS AFB TO ATTEND AN AIRSHOW WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. A FSS WEATHER BRIEFING WAS OBTAINED DURING WHICH THE PLT WAS INFORMED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. OBSCURED CEILING AND FOG EXISTED AT THE DEPARTURE ARPT AND OVER THE MOUNTAIN RIDGES ENROUTE. THE PLT FILED VFR AND REQUESTED A SPECIAL VFR TO GET OUT OF THE CONTROL ZONE AT THE DEPARTURE APRT. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, APRX 3 MILES FROM THE ARPT, THE ACFT DESCENDED NEAR VERTICAL AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT SOUNDED 'LOUD' AS IT CROSSED OVER HEAD PRIOR TO IMPACTING THE TERRAIN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WITH EITHER THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE. THE PLT HAD RECENTLY FAILED HIS IFR FLT TEST DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH ALTITUDE AND ATTITUDE CONTROL.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AS A RESULT OF SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AFTER INTENTIONALLY FLYING INTO INSTRUMENT FLIGHT CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S OVER CONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY AND THE OBSCURED WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH EXISTED.
Full Narrative
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT AND NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT PASSENGER WERE FLYING TO ANDREWS AFB TO ATTEND AN AIRSHOW WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. A FSS WEATHER BRIEFING WAS OBTAINED DURING WHICH THE PLT WAS INFORMED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. OBSCURED CEILING AND FOG EXISTED AT THE DEPARTURE ARPT AND OVER THE MOUNTAIN RIDGES ENROUTE. THE PLT FILED VFR AND REQUESTED A SPECIAL VFR TO GET OUT OF THE CONTROL ZONE AT THE DEPARTURE APRT. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, APRX 3 MILES FROM THE ARPT, THE ACFT DESCENDED NEAR VERTICAL AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT SOUNDED 'LOUD' AS IT CROSSED OVER HEAD PRIOR TO IMPACTING THE TERRAIN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WITH EITHER THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE. THE PLT HAD RECENTLY FAILED HIS IFR FLT TEST DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH ALTITUDE AND ATTITUDE CONTROL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:38 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech C50
Tail NumberN4917B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · GO-480-F4A6 · Reciprocating · 275
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 7 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:41
Weather SourceWFAC