N78TWBEECH B-60 1989-06-20 NTSB Accident Report

Destroyed
Fatal

BEECH B-60 S/N: P-445

Summary

On June 20, 1989, a Beech B-60 (N78TW) was involved in an accident near Gaston, SC. The accident resulted in 4 fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE PILOT EXERCISED QUESTIONABLE JUDGEMENT IN INITIATING A FLIGHT INTO AN AREA OF KNOWN THUNDERSTORMS. FURTHER, EITHER DELIBERATELY OR INADVERTANTLY ENTERED A THUNDERSTORM AND OVERSTRESSED THE AIRFRAME STRUCTURE RESULTING IN AN INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE AERODYNAMIC SURFACES.

This accident is documented in NTSB report ATL89FA165. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N78TW.

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, June 20, 1989
NTSB Number
ATL89FA165
Location
GASTON, SC
Event ID
20001213X28485
Coordinates
33.810348, -81.099723
Nearest Airport
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
Highest Injury
Fatal
Fatalities
4
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
4

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT EXERCISED QUESTIONABLE JUDGEMENT IN INITIATING A FLIGHT INTO AN AREA OF KNOWN THUNDERSTORMS. FURTHER, EITHER DELIBERATELY OR INADVERTANTLY ENTERED A THUNDERSTORM AND OVERSTRESSED THE AIRFRAME STRUCTURE RESULTING IN AN INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE AERODYNAMIC SURFACES.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
BEECH
Serial Number
P-445
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
B-60 BE60
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Multi Engine
No. of Engines
2

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
WALSH MAURICE J III
Address
919 RAVENG INSS TURN
Status
Deregistered
City
GASTONIA
State / Zip Code
NC 28054
Country
United States

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ATL89FA165