Beechcraft C-90 N74CC

Summary

On 18 January 2000 at about 17:02 local time, a Beechcraft C-90 registered N74CC, operated by Hart Corp. Delaware DIV., was involved in an accident near Somerset, Kentucky, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 January 2000 at 17:02

Classification

Accident

Location

Somerset, Kentucky, United States

Nearest airport

Somerset-Pulaski County (SME)

Coordinates

37.0798, -84.5996

Aircraft

Beechcraft C-90

Registration

N74CC

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Hart Corp. Delaware DIV.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Executive/Corporate

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Columbus → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC00FA067

4 people died.

the failure of the pilot to follow his approach clearance, and subsequent descent into unprotected airspace which resulted in a collision with the guy wire. Factors were the failure of the air traffic controller to verify the approach he cleared the pilot to conduct was in service, and the clouds which restricted the visibility of the communications antenna.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot requested and received clearance to execute the SDF approach, and was instructed to maintain 4,000 feet until established on the approach. Radar data revealed the airplane was never established on the approach, and started to descend before reaching the IAF. The airplane passed the IAF at 2,900 feet, and continued in a descending left hand turn into unprotected airspace. The airplane disappeared from radar at 1,900 feet, as it completed 180 degrees of turn. The turn did not match any of the four instrument approaches to the airport. The airplane struck a guy wire on a lighted communications antenna 3.3 MN southeast of the airport on a heading of 360 degrees. No evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction of the airplane or its systems was found. A flight check by the FAA confirmed no navigation signal was received for the approach, which had been turned off and listed as out of service for over 4 years. In addition, the pilot did not report the lack of a navigation signal to ATC or execute a missed approach. Interviews disclosed the ATC controller failed to verify the approach was in service before issuing the approach clearance.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.