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NTSB Report
December 6, 1985 · Beech 35-B33 · N5637K
Columbia Falls, MT
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 6, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Columbia Falls, MT
Aircraft
Beech 35-B33
Tail Number
N5637K
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN86FA039
THE ACFT CONTACTED SNOW COVERED TERRAIN IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT APRX 3 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING FROM KALISPELL, MT, NWS AND UPDATED BRIEFINGS FROM MISSOULA AND GREAT FALLS, MT, FSS, FOR PROPOSED NIGHT VFR FLT TO OGDEN, UT. VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. KALISPELL WX WAS SKY PARTIALLY OBSCURED, MEASURED CEILING 100 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 2 MILES WITH FOG. THE PLT ASKED FOR A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE TO OGDEN. THE CONTROLLER ASKED IF HE WANTED 'FLIGHT FOLLOWING ALL THE WAY.' THE PLT ANSWERED AFFIRMATIVELY. THE PLT WAS NEVER GIVEN A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE. RADAR SHOWS THE ACFT TAKING OFF AT ABOUT 2128 MST. LAST CONTACT WAS AT 2130 MST. THE PLT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT CONTACTED SNOW COVERED TERRAIN IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT APRX 3 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING FROM KALISPELL, MT, NWS AND UPDATED BRIEFINGS FROM MISSOULA AND GREAT FALLS, MT, FSS, FOR PROPOSED NIGHT VFR FLT TO OGDEN, UT. VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. KALISPELL WX WAS SKY PARTIALLY OBSCURED, MEASURED CEILING 100 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 2 MILES WITH FOG. THE PLT ASKED FOR A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE TO OGDEN. THE CONTROLLER ASKED IF HE WANTED 'FLIGHT FOLLOWING ALL THE WAY.' THE PLT ANSWERED AFFIRMATIVELY. THE PLT WAS NEVER GIVEN A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE. RADAR SHOWS THE ACFT TAKING OFF AT ABOUT 2128 MST. LAST CONTACT WAS AT 2130 MST. THE PLT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:30 MST
Nearest AirportGlacier Park Intl (0nm WNW)
Runway1
Runway Length8000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech 35-B33
Tail NumberN5637K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-K · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Ceiling100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT