Beechcraft P35 N1566Z

Summary

On 2 December 2012 at about 01:50 local time, a Beechcraft P35 registered N1566Z, operated by Knaack Gaylen M, was involved in an accident near Correctionville, Iowa, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 December 2012 at 01:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Correctionville, Iowa, United States

Nearest airport

Private

Coordinates

42.4497, -95.8164

Aircraft

Beechcraft P35

Registration

N1566Z

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Knaack Gaylen M

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Grand Island → Correctionville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

CEN13FA082

2 people died.

The pilot’s failure to perform a go-around after encountering thick fog at night.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was receiving flight-following services. He advised an air traffic controller that he had the airport in sight, and the controller acknowledged and told the pilot that radar services were terminated. The airport had an unimproved grass strip and runway lights. Two witnesses who lived next to the airport said thick fog quickly enveloped the area shortly before the accident. Another witness said that visibility had dropped to less than 1/4 mile and that he heard the airplane fly low over his house but could not see it. On the approach to land, the airplane struck trees and terrain about 1/4 mile northeast of the airport. A postimpact fire ensued. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was instrument equipped and the commercial pilot held an instrument rating.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.