On July 17, 1988, a Beech 95 (registration N669Q) was involved in an aviation accident near Destin, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to continue the visual approach into a level 3 thundershower, which resulted in loss of control and impact with the water. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft on a visual approach flew into a thundershower and crashed into the water, with no evidence of mechanical failure found during examination.
What happened
The pilot reported the airport in sight and was cleared for a visual approach. Witnesses observed the aircraft on the left downwind leg before it flew directly into a thundershower. The flight crew was not heard from again after this point. The wreckage of the aircraft was located in the bay, approximately 1 1/4 miles north of the runway. Examination of the debris indicated that the plane struck the water with the left wing low.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and flight control systems to determine the cause of the accident. No evidence was found to indicate any malfunction of the aircraft, flight controls, or engines. Radar photos confirmed the presence of a level 3 thundershower at the crash site at the time of the accident.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was the encounter with severe weather during the approach. The pilot flew into a thundershower while on the left downwind leg, leading to loss of control and impact with the water. There were no mechanical failures or operational errors identified beyond the weather encounter.
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to continue the visual approach into a level 3 thundershower, which resulted in loss of control and impact with the water.