Beech D-45 accident near Poplarville, MS
On December 7, 1996, a Beech D-45 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Poplarville, MS. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 7, 1996
- Place
- Poplarville, MS
- Aircraft
- Beech D-45 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 30.829°N, 89.529°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07202
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 6, 1996, about 1825 central standard time, a Beech D-45, N99065, registered to the Navy Memphis Flying Club, experienced an in-flight break-up and crashed near Poplarville, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was destroyed and the private-rated pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The flight originated about 1615 from the Memphis Naval Air Station (NAS) Millington, Tennessee. According to documents filed by the pilot before departure with the Navy Memphis Flying Club, the planned flying cruise altitude of the flight was 3,500 feet. Witnesses near the crash site observed the airplane flying westbound oscillating both vertically and laterally. The airplane was then observed rotating about the longitudinal axis then several reported that the airplane pitched nose down. One of the witnesses reported that while descending, the engine rpm was heard to increase and another reported hearing an explosion. The sound of impact was then heard. The witnesses reported that it was a dark night in the area at the time of the accident and there was no adverse weather in the vicinity. Three of the witnesses reported seeing either a flashing red light, or white lights on the airplane illuminated just before the accident. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Information pertaining to the pilot is contained on page 2 of the NTSB Factual Report-Aviation. Review of his airman's file revealed he was not instrument rated. Before departure, he indicated on
Probable cause
the noninstrument-rated pilot's intentional operation of the airplane with known deficiencies in equipment (inoperative attitude indicator and directional gyro) with an estimated time of arrival after official twilight. Also, poor in-flight planning decision by the pilot for continuing the flight after encountering dark night conditions resulting in spatial disorientation and a loss of control. Co
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Browse: Mississippi · Beech aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
