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2 fatalities

Aircraft Collision with Terrain During ILS Approach in Low Visibility (N499BA)

Bessemer-Mitchell Field, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On December 1, 2001, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan (registration N499BA) operated by Air Carriers - USA was involved in an aviation accident near Bessemer-Mitchell Field, United States of America during landing or approach. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The poor in-flight planning by the pilot-in-command for his initiation of the ILS approach to runway 05 with weather conditions below minimums for the approach contrary to the federal aviation regulations, and the failure of the pilot to maintain control of… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archiveUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed into trees and terrain during an ILS approach to runway 05 in foggy conditions below minimums. The pilot initiated the approach contrary to regulations and failed to maintain control during a missed approach.

Flight and Weather Conditions The flight departed Little Rock, Arkansas, at approximately 2356 CST. About 49 minutes after takeoff, the destination airport's AWOS-3 began reporting visibility of 1/4 statute mile, a condition that persisted for several hours. The ILS approach to runway 05 required a minimum visibility of 3/4 mile. A METAR taken two minutes after the accident showed overcast clouds at 100 feet, a temperature of 4°C, a dew point of 2°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.16 inHg. No precipitation or radar echoes were noted along the route. A witness described the fog as the thickest seen in the previous year.

Probable cause

The poor in-flight planning by the pilot-in-command for his initiation of the ILS approach to runway 05 with weather conditions below minimums for the approach contrary to the federal aviation regulations, and the failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane during a missed approach resulting in the in-flight collision with trees then terrain.
Loss of control in flight

Related events

Same aircraft family

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1 Dec 2001 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan accident near Bessemer-Mitchell Field, United States of America?

An aircraft crashed into trees and terrain during an ILS approach to runway 05 in foggy conditions below minimums. The pilot initiated the approach contrary to regulations and failed to maintain control during a missed approach.

Were there any fatalities in the 1 Dec 2001 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1 Dec 2001 involved a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, registration N499BA, operated by Air Carriers - USA, at Bessemer-Mitchell Field, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The poor in-flight planning by the pilot-in-command for his initiation of the ILS approach to runway 05 with weather conditions below minimums for the approach contrary to the federal aviation regulations, and the failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane during a missed approach resulting in the…

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