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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

December 6, 1984 · Beech 58 · N7230R

Charleston, SC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 6, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Charleston, SC
Aircraft
Beech 58
Tail Number
N7230R
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL85MA049

PLT DESCENDED BELOW MDA DURING A NIGHT VOR (NON-PRECISION) APCH TO AN UNCONTROLLED ARPT AND COLLIDED WITH TREES & GROUND WHICH WERE OBSCURED BY FOG. THE PLT HAD 'PUSHED' HIMSELF TO MAKE THE TRIP ACCORDING TO FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES IN AN ATTEMPT TO WIN AN ELECTION RESULT APPEAL. HIS LAWYERS REPORTEDLY ARGUED THAT THE TRIP ON THE ACCIDENT NIGHT WAS NOT URGENT & THE MISSION COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED BY OTHER MEANS. THE PLT INSISTED ON GOING TO DO THE JOB HIMSELF IN SPITE OF THE KNOWN ADVERSE WX. THE PHYSICAL STRAIN & FATIGUE WERE APPARENT ACCORDING TO FRIENDS WHO HAD 'GIVEN UP', THEY SAID, IN TRYING TO STOP HIM FROM OVER EXERTION & LENGTHY WORK DAYS. THE TOXICOLOGY REPORTS SHOWED EVIDENCE OF A DRUG NAMED METHAMPHETAMINE COMMONLY CALLED 'SPEED'. HIS WIFE DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE DRUG & HIS DOCTOR DENIED PRESCRIBING IT. IT IS NOT LEGALLY OBTAINABLE WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION AND IS AN APPETITE SUPPRESSANT. PLT'S WIFE SAID HE HAD LOST 'ABOUT 20 LBS' IN RECENT MONTHS. HE HAD NOT REPORTEDLY SEEN A DR RECENTLY. NO MECH DISCREPANCIES OF A CAUSAL NATURE WERE FOUND.

Full Narrative

PLT DESCENDED BELOW MDA DURING A NIGHT VOR (NON-PRECISION) APCH TO AN UNCONTROLLED ARPT AND COLLIDED WITH TREES & GROUNDWHICH WERE OBSCURED BY FOG. THE PLT HAD 'PUSHED' HIMSELF TO MAKE THE TRIP ACCORDING TO FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES IN AN ATTEMPT TO WIN AN ELECTION RESULT APPEAL. HIS LAWYERS REPORTEDLY ARGUED THAT THE TRIP ON THE ACCIDENT NIGHT WAS NOT URGENT & THE MISSION COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED BY OTHER MEANS. THE PLT INSISTED ON GOING TO DO THE JOB HIMSELF IN SPITE OF THE KNOWN ADVERSE WX. THE PHYSICAL STRAIN & FATIGUE WERE APPARENT ACCORDING TO FRIENDS WHO HAD 'GIVEN UP', THEY SAID, INTRYING TO STOP HIM FROM OVER EXERTION & LENGTHY WORK DAYS. THE TOXICOLOGY REPORTS SHOWED EVIDENCE OF A DRUG NAMED METHAMPHETAMINE COMMONLY CALLED 'SPEED'. HIS WIFE DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE DRUG & HIS DOCTOR DENIED PRESCRIBING IT. IT IS NOT LEGALLY OBTAINABLE WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION AND IS AN APPETITE SUPPRESSANT. PLTS WIFE SAID HE HAD LOST 'ABOUT 20 LBS' IN RECENT MONTHS. HE HAD NOT REPORTEDLY SEEN A DR RECENTLY. NO MECH DISCREPANCIES OF A CAUSAL NATURE WERE FOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time04:34 EST
Nearest AirportCharleston Executive (1nm WNW)
Runway0
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 58
Tail NumberN7230R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-CB7 · Reciprocating · 280
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind280° @ 6 kt
Visibility25 sm
Ceiling100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time09:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data