Loss of Control in Flight · NTSB CEN13FA082
BEECH P35 — Correctionville, IA
| Date | December 2, 2012 |
| Location | Correctionville, IA |
| Aircraft | BEECH P35 |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Night/Dark · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering Loss of control in flight |
| Pilot age | 70 |
| Pilot total time | 2,400 hrs · Experienced |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 2, 1 serious |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Pilot - C
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Fog-Contributed to outcome
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
What happened
The commercial pilot was receiving flight-following services. He advised an air traffic controller that he had the airport in sight, and the controller acknowledged and told the pilot that radar services were terminated. The airport had an unimproved grass strip and runway lights. Two witnesses who lived next to the airport said thick fog quickly enveloped the area shortly before the accident. Another witness said that visibility had dropped to less than 1/4 mile and that he heard the airplane fly low over his house but could not see it. On the approach to land, the airplane struck trees and terrain about 1/4 mile northeast of the airport. A postimpact fire ensued. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was instrument equipped and the commercial pilot held an instrument rating.