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NTSB Report
December 10, 1986 · Beech C-55 · N7975M
Ivel, KY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 10, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Ivel, KY
Aircraft
Beech C-55
Tail Number
N7975M
Operator
Air West Virginia
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA87FA047
THE PLT WHO WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO MAKE THE CHARTER FLT TO PICK UP THE PAX WAS RELUCTANT TO DO SO DUE TO LOW CEILINGS IN THE MOUNTAINOUS AREA AT THE DESTINATION. THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY TOOK THE FLT & THE FLT WAS OBSERVED BY WITNESSES NEAR THE DESTINATION TO BE FLYING IN & OUT OF THE CLOUDS BETWEEN & BELOW THE MOUNTAIN TOPS. WITNESSES ESTIMATED THE ALT TO BE BETWEEN 150 & 300 FT AGL. THE DESTINATION ARPT 3 MI FROM THE CRASH SITE WAS COMPLETELY 'FOGGED IN' WITH VISIBILITY UNDER 100 YDS. THE ACFT STRUCK THE TOP OF A CLOUD COVERED MOUNTAIN. THE PLT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY CITED BY FAA FOR VIOLATIONS OF FAR INCLUDING CARELESS & RECKLESS OPERATION OF ACFT.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WHO WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO MAKE THE CHARTER FLT TO PICK UP THE PAX WAS RELUCTANT TO DO SO DUE TO LOW CEILINGS IN THE MOUNTAINOUS AREA AT THE DESTINATION. THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY TOOK THE FLT & THE FLT WAS OBSERVED BY WITNESSES NEAR THE DESTINATION TO BE FLYING IN & OUT OF THE CLOUDS BETWEEN & BELOW THE MOUNTAIN TOPS. WITNESSES ESTIMATED THE ALT TO BE BETWEEN 150 & 300 FT AGL. THE DESTINATION ARPT 3 MI FROM THE CRASH SITE WAS COMPLETELY 'FOGGED IN' WITH VISIBILITY UNDER 100 YDS. THE ACFT STRUCK THE TOP OF A CLOUD COVERED MOUNTAIN. THE PLT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY CITED BY FAA FOR VIOLATIONS OF FAR INCLUDING CARELESS & RECKLESS OPERATION OF ACFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:45 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech C-55
Tail NumberN7975M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAir West Virginia
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520C · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 7 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:52
Weather SourceWFAC