Beech S-35 accident near Clear Spring, MD
On July 26, 2002, a Beech S-35 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Clear Spring, MD. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- July 26, 2002
- Place
- Clear Spring, MD
- Aircraft
- Beech S-35 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 39.652°N, 77.972°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020807X01319
Official records · IAD02FA075
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Transcript of Telephone Briefing: Excerpt, Elkins Flight Service: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- Transcript of Radio Communications: Excerpt, Washington Center: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- Transcript of Radio Communications: Excerpt, Elkins Flight Service: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 26, 2002, at 1132 eastern daylight time, a Beech S-35, N5761K, was destroyed when it collided with terrain near Clear Spring, Maryland. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. The flight departed Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR), Hagerstown, Maryland, destined for Lovell Field (CHA), Chattanooga, Tennessee. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the time, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control information, the airplane first departed Hagerstown Airport, VFR, for Chattanooga, about 1000. About 15 minutes later, the pilot contacted Hagerstown Tower and reported that he was south of the airport. The pilot said he was returning to the airport because he "could not maintain VFR." The airplane subsequently landed at Hagerstown Airport without incident. The pilot had activated his flight plan with the Elkins Flight Service Station (FSS) after departure by radio, and closed the flight plan by telephone after he landed. While on the telephone with an FSS specialist, the pilot received an abbreviated weather briefing and stated that he would attempt the same flight later in the day. At 1121, the airplane departed Hagerstown Airport, VFR, for the second time. At 1123, the tower controller issued the pilot a frequency change to Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). At 1124, the pilot contacted a Washington ARTCC controller and requested VFR flight following. The controller sug
Probable cause
The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with rising terrain. Factors included dense fog and mountainous terrain.
More accidents in MD
- Aerospatiale SA365N-1 D, Sep 28, 2008
- Robinson Helicopter R44, Jul 24, 2009
- Cessna 172P, Mar 16, 2002
- Beech B24R, Apr 23, 1994
- Piper PA-28R-201T, Jul 31, 1989
Browse: Maryland · 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.
