Beechcraft 65-A90 N90GN

Summary

On 17 October 1998 at about 05:30 local time, a Beechcraft 65-A90 registered N90GN, operated by Mid South Air, LLC, was involved in an accident near Russellville, Arkansas, United States. 5 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 October 1998 at 05:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Russellville, Arkansas, United States

Nearest airport

Russellville Regional (RUE)

Coordinates

35.2705, -93.1407

Aircraft

Beechcraft 65-A90

Registration

N90GN

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Mid South Air, LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fort Worth → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

FTW99LA013

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the ground due to the pilot's improper use of the flaps and the ensuing inadvertent descent. Factors were the dark night conditions, the pilot's diverted attention, and the foggy windshield.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane impacted the ground following an inadvertent descent during a dark night visual approach. The pilot was aware of an active NOTAM (09-051), which reported that the runway lights for runway 07/25 were out of service. However, he had been told the lights might be returned to service by the time of his arrival. During the before landing checklist, the pilot extended the flaps to the 'full down instead of approach position,' which initiated an inadvertent descent. The pilot became distracted by his continued attempts to activate the runway lights. As the airplane descended below 1,400 feet msl, the altitude alert notified the pilot of the airplane's altitude. As the airplane turned onto the final approach leg at 900 feet msl, the pilot 'knew [he] was not lined up with the runway,' and would have to proceed to another airport. The pilot was wiping condensation [fog] from the front windshield when he noticed a blue reflection [taxiway lights]. The pilot initiated a go-around, and simultaneously, the airplane impacted the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.