Beechcraft BE-58 N448DH

Summary

On 1 February 2001 at about 12:38 local time, a Beechcraft BE-58 registered N448DH was involved in an accident near Brinkley, Arkansas, United States. One person was 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

1 February 2001 at 12:38

Classification

Accident

Location

Brinkley, Arkansas, United States

Coordinates

34.9178, -91.2814

Aircraft

Beechcraft BE-58

Registration

N448DH

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Memphis → Little Rock

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dawn

NTSB number

FTW01LA057

1 person had minor injuries.

the pilot's poor inflight planning and decision making which resulted in his executing a precautionary landing in a soft field. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the precautionary landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during cruise flight, he noticed the right engine cylinder head temperature (CHT) was rising above "350 degrees and the oil temperature [was rising] above the top of the green arc." The pilot reported that he secured the engine and advised air traffic control he needed to land at an alternate airport. The controllers repeatedly advised the pilot of the location and distance to the nearest airport. The pilot reported that he was looking for the airport, and he was not able to control the airplane. The pilot did not locate the airport, and he executed a precautionary landing to a muddy field. Neither propeller was found in the feathered position. FAA inspectors found no anomalies with the flight and engine controls. The right and left engines were test run at 1,500 rpm at the accident site, and subsequently, test run in a test cell at various power settings for 2 hours with no anomalies noted. The CHT gauge was examined by the airframe manufacturer and no anomalies were noted. Continuity was confirmed for the wiring from the right CHT probe to the CHT gauge. Toxicological testing for the pilot indicated 2.296 (ug/ml, ug/g) nefazodone detected in serum. Nefazodone is a prescription antidepressant, often known by the name Serzone. The pilot's medical records indicated the routine use of nefazodone as well as alprazolam, a prescription tranquilizer, and zolpidem, a prescription medication used to treat insomnia. All three medications have potential effects on performance. FAA medical records revealed that the pilot did not report the use of the aforementioned drugs on his most recent medical application. The FAA considers these drugs disqualifying for issuance of a medical certificate.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.