What happened
On May 12, 2008, a Beech V35 Bonanza, registration N7947M, crashed near Bristol, Ohio, while operating under instrument flight rules. The flight departed Tri-State/Ferguson Field (KHTS) in Huntington, West Virginia, enroute to Greater Rochester International Airport (KROC) in New York.
Prior to departure, the pilot received a weather briefing that included an active icing advisory for moderate icing and an advisory for moderate turbulence below 15,000 feet. Although the pilot initially filed for a cruise altitude of 5,000 feet, he requested and was cleared for higher altitudes during the flight to climb above the cloud tops. The final assigned cruise altitude was 9,000 feet.
At approximately 11:02 EDT, radar track data showed the aircraft performing a 35-degree right turn to an east-nertheasterly course. Shortly after, the aircraft turned left to a north heading and entered a right spiraling descent. The aircraft's descent rate increased to approximately 4,200 feet per minute, and the final radar return was recorded at 11:04:32 EDT. The aircraft struck the ground in a heavily wooded area, and the 2 fatal occupants were killed.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage, which was distributed over a path of approximately 1,730 feet. The distribution of the debris was consistent with an in-flight breakup. The investigation found that the right wing had separated from the fuselage, and the left wing had also separated, with the aft spar breaking at the attachment point. The engine, propeller, and cockpit components were found submerged in a nearby reservoir.
While the aircraft was not certified for flight in icing conditions, the investigation found no evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have prevented the normal operation of the airplane's systems. All observed flight control cable separations were determined to be consistent with an overload failure.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
- The aircraft's descent pattern, characterized by an increasing spiral and rapid rate of descent, was consistent with the pilot experiencing spatial disorientation.
- There was a high potential for structural icing at the altitudes used during the flight, though the pilot did not report any ice accumulation.
- The pilot made no distress calls or reports of mechanical difficulties prior to the accident.